Yamaha XVS 950 A MIDNIGHT STAR MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha XVS 950 A MIDNIGHT STAR motorcycles pass the MOT 86.45% of the time, measured across 273 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.03% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 26.9% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and does not conform to the specified requirements, 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 (12.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 17,346 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 | 85.94% | 256 |
Why the Yamaha XVS 950 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 | 26.9% | 7 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 15.4% | 4 | |
| 3 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 11.5% | 3 | |
| 4 | Has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 11.5% | 3 | |
| 5 | Insecure | 11.5% | 3 | |
| 6 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 11.5% | 3 | |
| 7 | Too high | 11.5% | 3 | |
| 8 | Adversely affected by the operation of another lamp | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 9 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 10 | Excessively binding | 7.7% | 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 | 12.1% | 33 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 9.5% | 26 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4% | 11 | |
| 4 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 2.6% | 7 | |
| 5 | Tread not clearly visible | 2.2% | 6 | |
| 6 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.8% | 5 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.1% | 3 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.1% | 3 | |
| 9 | Seriously damaged | 1.1% | 3 | |
| 10 | Significantly and obviously worn | 1.1% | 3 |
Yamaha XVS 950 A MIDNIGHT STAR for sale
No Yamaha XVS 950 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 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| 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 R 1200 · 1,170cc | 6,170 | 95.28% | 27,241 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method