Yamaha Xj Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Xj car check
Is the Yamaha Xj reliable? We analysed 8,530 real MOT tests across 1,095 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Xj? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Xj 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 roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xj.
Yamaha Xj Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xj. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Xj MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Xj to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Xj Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Xj fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Xj Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Xj models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha Xj Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xj owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Xj MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xj year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 134 | 91.0% | 2,921 | 5,676 | 9,819 |
| 2015 | 446 | 89.9% | 7,009 | 13,710 | 23,628 |
| 2014 | 2,867 | 89.8% | 6,240 | 12,452 | 21,892 |
| 2013 | 1,151 | 88.5% | 6,481 | 12,633 | 22,400 |
| 2012 | 133 | 85.7% | 7,285 | 13,642 | 25,391 |
| 2011 | 133 | 86.5% | 5,905 | 10,297 | 22,742 |
| 2010 | 326 | 86.8% | 7,232 | 12,136 | 23,512 |
| 2009 | 71 | 83.1% | 7,651 | 10,842 | 15,666 |
| 1998 | 88 | 76.1% | 17,987 | 33,233 | 46,681 |
| 1997 | 344 | 78.5% | 14,647 | 21,402 | 32,226 |
| 1996 | 451 | 82.0% | 19,765 | 29,254 | 37,921 |
| 1995 | 418 | 80.4% | 20,905 | 31,523 | 45,346 |
| 1994 | 151 | 77.5% | 20,657 | 34,566 | 42,763 |
| 1993 | 218 | 74.8% | 21,195 | 33,872 | 49,076 |
| 1992 | 264 | 79.2% | 19,459 | 29,714 | 44,766 |
| 1991 | 346 | 80.3% | 20,202 | 31,302 | 39,370 |
| 1990 | 223 | 74.0% | 28,781 | 34,697 | 49,788 |
| 1989 | 132 | 75.8% | 26,270 | 34,056 | 50,084 |
| 1985 | 73 | 82.2% | 16,431 | 22,135 | 43,948 |
| 1983 | 51 | 84.3% | 29,881 | 35,085 | 47,520 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Xj Last?
Based on 1,095 Yamaha Xj vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Xj Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xj 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 Xj
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.0% MOT pass rate from 134 tests
74.0% MOT pass rate from 223 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xj is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.0% across 134 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Xj Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Xj THIS CAR | 85.4% | 8,530 | 18,356 mi | 44 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 |
| Suzuki VS800 | 85.4% | 3,043 | 18,570 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xj sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Xj 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 XjShould you buy a used Yamaha Xj?
The Yamaha Xj has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.4% across 8,530 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 Xj are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (85 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (64), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (48). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Xj with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Yamaha Xj owner drives around 965 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 Xj models stay on UK roads for around 44 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.