Yamaha Xjr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Xjr car check
Is the Yamaha Xjr reliable? We analysed 3,590 real MOT tests across 437 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Xjr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Xjr is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xjr.
Yamaha Xjr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xjr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Xjr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Xjr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Xjr Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Xjr fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Xjr Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Xjr models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha Xjr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xjr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Xjr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xjr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 59 | 88.1% | 2,441 | 3,946 | 5,744 |
| 2017 | 262 | 87.0% | 3,646 | 6,240 | 10,131 |
| 2016 | 908 | 92.4% | 3,274 | 5,935 | 10,195 |
| 2015 | 860 | 92.4% | 3,917 | 6,688 | 10,300 |
| 2002 | 136 | 83.8% | 19,838 | 30,020 | 36,188 |
| 2001 | 101 | 84.2% | 13,501 | 20,998 | 32,932 |
| 2000 | 81 | 79.0% | 17,497 | 22,719 | 26,191 |
| 1999 | 198 | 80.3% | 14,036 | 20,535 | 37,379 |
| 1998 | 166 | 83.1% | 18,929 | 24,645 | 36,386 |
| 1997 | 314 | 80.6% | 17,312 | 31,097 | 42,924 |
| 1996 | 109 | 81.7% | 24,656 | 32,686 | 40,016 |
| 1995 | 173 | 76.9% | 19,177 | 29,638 | 47,982 |
| 1994 | 52 | 86.5% | 11,295 | 26,292 | 33,714 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Xjr Last?
Based on 437 Yamaha Xjr vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Xjr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xjr 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 Xjr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.4% MOT pass rate from 860 tests
76.9% MOT pass rate from 173 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xjr is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.4% across 860 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Xjr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Xjr THIS CAR | 87.8% | 3,590 | 10,584 mi | 32 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 |
| Proton 1.5 Gls | 69% | 7,164 | 73,966 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xjr outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Xjr 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 XjrShould you buy a used Yamaha Xjr?
The Yamaha Xjr has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.8% across 3,590 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 Xjr are reflector on motorcycle missing (20 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (17), 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.
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 Xjr 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 Xjr owner drives around 694 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 Xjr models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.