Yamaha Virago Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Virago car check
Is the Yamaha Virago reliable? We analysed 18,852 real MOT tests across 1,770 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Virago? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Virago is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Virago.
Yamaha Virago Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Virago. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Virago MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Virago to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Virago Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Virago fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Virago Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Virago owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Virago MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Virago year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 71 | 76.1% | 23,388 | 28,038 | 32,424 |
| 2003 | 280 | 77.5% | 6,486 | 12,142 | 18,224 |
| 2002 | 227 | 84.1% | 7,572 | 15,919 | 28,724 |
| 2001 | 145 | 83.4% | 10,990 | 18,601 | 24,588 |
| 2000 | 245 | 85.7% | 7,501 | 18,182 | 23,812 |
| 1999 | 481 | 86.3% | 10,381 | 17,879 | 26,189 |
| 1998 | 845 | 86.5% | 9,405 | 17,619 | 27,913 |
| 1997 | 2,217 | 86.9% | 8,437 | 13,279 | 21,293 |
| 1996 | 2,189 | 87.6% | 10,242 | 14,844 | 23,466 |
| 1995 | 2,720 | 86.4% | 10,793 | 16,500 | 23,742 |
| 1994 | 2,274 | 85.3% | 10,404 | 18,140 | 25,066 |
| 1993 | 1,826 | 85.5% | 11,916 | 17,692 | 25,968 |
| 1992 | 1,575 | 86.2% | 13,982 | 21,302 | 30,281 |
| 1991 | 1,109 | 83.9% | 16,982 | 23,828 | 35,511 |
| 1990 | 797 | 81.1% | 16,830 | 21,288 | 30,559 |
| 1989 | 581 | 81.4% | 20,816 | 27,609 | 33,144 |
| 1988 | 219 | 80.8% | 15,385 | 21,545 | 33,324 |
| 1987 | 276 | 81.2% | 14,927 | 20,904 | 33,126 |
| 1986 | 177 | 87.0% | 11,948 | 20,453 | 36,420 |
| 1985 | 132 | 82.6% | 14,752 | 27,573 | 38,277 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Virago Last?
Based on 1,770 Yamaha Virago vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Virago Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Virago MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Virago
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.6% MOT pass rate from 2,189 tests
76.1% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Virago is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.6% across 2,189 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Virago Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Virago THIS CAR | 85.4% | 18,852 | 18,089 mi | 40 yrs |
| Yamaha Yzf R1 | 86.5% | 175,313 | 16,232 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha FZS600 | 85% | 157,659 | 22,466 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha XJR1300 | 88.8% | 107,128 | 16,836 mi | 27 yrs |
| Renault Captur Iconic Tce Auto | 91% | 6,321 | 22,331 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Virago sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Virago you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Yamaha ViragoShould you buy a used Yamaha Virago?
The Yamaha Virago has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.4% across 18,852 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Yamaha Virago are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (218 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (214), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (107). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Yamaha Virago owner drives around 353 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Yamaha Virago models stay on UK roads for around 40 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.