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Yamaha Xj 600 N Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xj 600 N car check

Is the Yamaha Xj 600 N reliable? We analysed 1,310 real MOT tests across 238 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,310 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.4%
Typical Mileage
20,752mi
Annual Mileage
956mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Yamaha Xj 600 N is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xj 600 N.

Yamaha Xj 600 N Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xj 600 N. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha Xj 600 N MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha Xj 600 N to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.8%
2003
94.3%
2002
84.7%
2001
81.3%
2000
81.6%
1999
76.8%
1998
77.7%
1997

Yamaha Xj 600 N Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Xj 600 N fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 33
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 26
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 20
reflector on motorcycle missing 15
Drive chain excessively loose 10
Floor brake test indicates a binding brake 10
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 9
Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. 8
Drive chain worn to excess 7
Brake disc(s) excessively worn 7

Yamaha Xj 600 N Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xj 600 N owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
214 mi/yr
Typical
956 mi/yr
Average
2,032 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,529 mi/yr

Yamaha Xj 600 N MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xj 600 N year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 55 81.8% 12,677 19,739 38,617
2002 53 94.3% 5,397 8,386 18,130
2001 124 84.7% 10,382 15,150 19,302
2000 144 81.3% 8,422 14,240 21,803
1999 201 81.6% 7,129 14,717 26,115
1998 431 76.8% 18,541 24,238 32,220
1997 229 77.7% 18,848 25,407 36,398

How Long Does a Yamaha Xj 600 N Last?

Based on 238 Yamaha Xj 600 N vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.9 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Yamaha Xj 600 N Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xj 600 N MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,752 mi
75th Percentile
30,252 mi
95th Percentile
49,314 mi
Max Recorded
202,982 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xj 600 N

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2002

94.3% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

Year to avoid
1998

76.8% MOT pass rate from 431 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xj 600 N is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.3% across 53 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.8% — 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 600 N Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xj 600 N THIS CAR 80.4% 1,310 20,752 mi 29 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
Hyundai Tucson Premium T-gdi MHEV 91.7% 937 29,326 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xj 600 N trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xj 600 N?

The Yamaha Xj 600 N has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.4% across 1,310 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 600 N are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (33 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (26), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (20). 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 Xj 600 N owner drives around 956 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 600 N models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.

Yamaha Xj 600 N — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xj 600 N reliable?
Based on 1,310 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xj 600 N has a 80.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xj 600 N?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xj 600 N do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xj 600 N does around 956 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xj 600 N last?
Most Yamaha Xj 600 N models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 238 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xj 600 N?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha Xj 600 N?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xj 600 N is 2002 with a 94.3% pass rate across 53 tests.