Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR MOT pass rate and common failures

Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR motorcycles pass the MOT 88.16% of the time, measured across 304 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.26% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

About average - within 1.3 points of the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 88.16% 268 of 304
Fixed at the station 5.26% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 21,253 miles
Average age at test 15.11 years old
Engine 1,300cc MOT class 2
For sale now 0 Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR adverts

What to check before the MOT

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

  • Start with not working - it accounts for 35% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) and grip insecure to handlebar, 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 (16.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 21,253 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
11-15 years 89.71% 175
16+ years 86.72% 128

Why the Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR 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 Not working 35% 7
2 Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) 15% 3
3 Grip insecure to handlebar 15% 3
4 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 15% 3
5 Less than 1.0 mm thick 15% 3
6 Missing 15% 3
7 Not working on dipped beam 15% 3
8 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 15% 3
9 Excessively binding 10% 2
10 Has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 10% 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 16.1% 49
2 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 8.2% 25
3 Less than 1.0 mm thick 3.6% 11
4 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 3% 9
5 Excessively binding 2.6% 8
6 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 2% 6
7 Significantly and obviously worn 2% 6
8 Tread not clearly visible 1.6% 5
9 Chain guard missing 0.7% 2
10 Nail in tyre 0.7% 2

Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR for sale

No Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR in stock at the moment - 84 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model Tests Pass rate   Avg mileage
Triumph TIGER · 969cc 16,144 91.27% 22,934
BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc 9,796 91.92% 40,594
BMW R1200 · 1,170cc 9,521 94.43% 28,830
BMW S 1000 · 999cc 8,445 91.96% 15,282
BMW R1250 · 1,254cc 6,764 96.17% 17,373
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc 6,170 95.28% 27,241

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

Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR?+
88.16% of Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR MOT tests end in a pass, based on 304 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR?+
Not working, which appears in 35% of failed tests on this model.
Does the Yamaha XVS 1300 A MIDNIGHT STAR get harder to pass as it ages?+
At 16+ years old the pass rate is 86.72%, against 89.71% for examples 11-15 years old.
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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