Yamaha XV1600 MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha XV1600 motorcycles pass the MOT 84.21% of the time, measured across 266 tests in the DVSA record. A further 7.52% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

About average - within 2.7 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 84.21% 224 of 266
Fixed at the station 7.52% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 30,914 miles
Average age at test 24.02 years old
Engine 1,596cc MOT class 2
For sale now 0 Yamaha XV1600 adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

  • Start with does not conform to the specified requirements - it accounts for 54.5% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check not working and missing, the next two most common reasons.
  • The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (22.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 30,914 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test Pass rate   Tests
16+ years 84.21% 266

Why the Yamaha XV1600 fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

# Item Of failures   Tests
1 Does not conform to the specified requirements 54.5% 12
2 Not working 45.5% 10
3 Missing 31.8% 7
4 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 22.7% 5
5 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 22.7% 5
6 Flashing more than 120 times a minute 18.2% 4
7 Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls 9.1% 2
8 Excessively binding 9.1% 2
9 Incorrect 9.1% 2
10 Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 9.1% 2

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

# Item Of all tests   Tests
1 Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 22.2% 59
2 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 4.9% 13
3 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 4.1% 11
4 Insecure 1.5% 4
5 Has a serious fluid leak 1.1% 3
6 Has excessive play 1.1% 3
7 Has excessive wear or free play 1.1% 3
8 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 1.1% 3
9 Tread not clearly visible 1.1% 3
10 Component pin or bush excessively worn 0.8% 2

Yamaha XV1600 for sale

No Yamaha XV1600 in stock at the moment - 83 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model Tests Pass rate   Avg mileage
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc 9,796 91.92% 40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc 9,521 94.43% 28,830
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc 6,764 96.17% 17,373
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc 6,170 95.28% 27,241
Triumph BONNEVILLE 1200cc · 1196-1200cc 5,527 91.62% 8,342
Suzuki GSF1200 · 1,159cc 4,061 84.68% 29,337

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Yamaha XV1600 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha XV1600?+
84.21% of Yamaha XV1600 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 266 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha XV1600?+
Does not conform to the specified requirements, which appears in 54.5% of failed tests on this model.
Where does this data come from?+
From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.
Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+
Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.
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