Yamaha Xj 900 S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Xj 900 S car check
Is the Yamaha Xj 900 S reliable? We analysed 1,099 real MOT tests across 170 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Xj 900 S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Xj 900 S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xj 900 S.
Yamaha Xj 900 S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xj 900 S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Xj 900 S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Xj 900 S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Xj 900 S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Xj 900 S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Xj 900 S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xj 900 S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Xj 900 S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xj 900 S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 89 | 87.6% | 5,808 | 14,489 | 36,287 |
| 2001 | 67 | 76.1% | 19,761 | 32,332 | 43,587 |
| 2000 | 132 | 87.1% | 13,723 | 22,795 | 36,920 |
| 1999 | 264 | 86.7% | 15,876 | 23,762 | 34,627 |
| 1998 | 313 | 82.7% | 18,875 | 36,514 | 49,960 |
| 1997 | 112 | 84.8% | 16,773 | 24,940 | 39,976 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Xj 900 S Last?
Based on 170 Yamaha Xj 900 S vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Xj 900 S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xj 900 S 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 900 S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.6% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
76.1% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xj 900 S is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.6% across 89 tests. The 2001 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 Xj 900 S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Xj 900 S THIS CAR | 85.4% | 1,099 | 26,897 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 |
| Kawasaki Zg 1400 A9F | 89.8% | 1,973 | 22,697 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xj 900 S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Xj 900 S 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 Xj 900 SShould you buy a used Yamaha Xj 900 S?
The Yamaha Xj 900 S has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.4% across 1,099 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 900 S are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (14 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (12), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (11). 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 900 S owner drives around 1,037 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 900 S 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.