Yamaha XJ900 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XJ900 car check
Is the Yamaha XJ900 reliable? We analysed 45,127 real MOT tests across 4,133 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XJ900? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XJ900 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XJ900.
Yamaha XJ900 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XJ900. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XJ900 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XJ900 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XJ900 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XJ900 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XJ900 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XJ900 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XJ900 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XJ900 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1,662 | 86.1% | 13,519 | 24,528 | 39,772 |
| 2002 | 2,136 | 85.3% | 14,975 | 26,466 | 38,995 |
| 2001 | 2,535 | 85.6% | 16,801 | 27,900 | 42,832 |
| 2000 | 3,375 | 85.7% | 17,095 | 29,108 | 46,727 |
| 1999 | 6,337 | 84.4% | 19,628 | 32,274 | 47,059 |
| 1998 | 6,331 | 84.8% | 20,290 | 31,642 | 47,420 |
| 1997 | 5,880 | 84.5% | 21,046 | 32,472 | 47,085 |
| 1996 | 3,902 | 81.9% | 23,295 | 35,210 | 51,205 |
| 1995 | 4,222 | 82.6% | 26,686 | 39,712 | 53,221 |
| 1994 | 1,245 | 81.4% | 26,489 | 38,145 | 53,498 |
| 1993 | 769 | 82.6% | 24,220 | 36,568 | 50,678 |
| 1992 | 1,104 | 81.6% | 26,539 | 38,750 | 55,880 |
| 1991 | 1,621 | 81.1% | 23,639 | 38,354 | 53,338 |
| 1990 | 1,379 | 81.8% | 25,909 | 37,929 | 51,112 |
| 1989 | 1,103 | 82.5% | 26,926 | 40,135 | 54,382 |
| 1988 | 402 | 83.1% | 20,694 | 38,830 | 52,166 |
| 1987 | 180 | 78.3% | 29,847 | 38,572 | 51,064 |
| 1986 | 175 | 78.3% | 21,884 | 43,471 | 58,317 |
| 1985 | 109 | 78.9% | 17,982 | 28,154 | 37,024 |
| 1984 | 144 | 77.8% | 29,262 | 43,606 | 52,396 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XJ900 Last?
Based on 4,133 Yamaha XJ900 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XJ900 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XJ900 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 XJ900
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.1% MOT pass rate from 1,662 tests
77.8% MOT pass rate from 144 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XJ900 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.1% across 1,662 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XJ900 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XJ900 THIS CAR | 83.8% | 45,127 | 33,515 mi | 38 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 Ultimate T-gdi HEV Auto | 91.9% | 19,291 | 26,574 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XJ900 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XJ900 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 XJ900Should you buy a used Yamaha XJ900?
The Yamaha XJ900 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.8% across 45,127 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 XJ900 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (727 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (569), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (485). 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 XJ900 owner drives around 1,020 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 XJ900 models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.