Yamaha XJ750 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XJ750 car check
Is the Yamaha XJ750 reliable? We analysed 1,811 real MOT tests across 320 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XJ750? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XJ750 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XJ750.
Yamaha XJ750 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XJ750. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XJ750 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XJ750 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XJ750 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XJ750 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XJ750 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XJ750 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XJ750 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XJ750 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 53 | 84.9% | 15,483 | 28,095 | 75,304 |
| 1998 | 79 | 72.2% | 27,231 | 51,896 | 62,778 |
| 1997 | 106 | 83.0% | 16,982 | 50,947 | 63,486 |
| 1996 | 86 | 80.2% | 24,107 | 31,059 | 53,865 |
| 1994 | 54 | 79.6% | 21,950 | 43,108 | 48,759 |
| 1992 | 104 | 82.7% | 6,794 | 30,361 | 63,652 |
| 1985 | 119 | 84.0% | 16,746 | 22,849 | 32,104 |
| 1984 | 158 | 80.4% | 24,210 | 37,565 | 55,640 |
| 1983 | 167 | 76.6% | 17,726 | 31,535 | 41,346 |
| 1982 | 486 | 77.8% | 20,230 | 32,732 | 41,190 |
| 1981 | 137 | 81.8% | 14,622 | 26,718 | 38,968 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XJ750 Last?
Based on 320 Yamaha XJ750 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XJ750 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XJ750 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 XJ750
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.9% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
72.2% MOT pass rate from 79 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XJ750 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.9% across 53 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XJ750 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XJ750 THIS CAR | 80.2% | 1,811 | 31,760 mi | 45 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 |
| Honda NSR250 | 86.3% | 808 | 18,757 mi | 35 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XJ750 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XJ750 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 XJ750Should you buy a used Yamaha XJ750?
The Yamaha XJ750 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.2% across 1,811 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 XJ750 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (32 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (25), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (17). 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 XJ750 owner drives around 389 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 XJ750 models stay on UK roads for around 45 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.