Yamaha XS1100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XS1100 car check
Is the Yamaha XS1100 reliable? We analysed 3,201 real MOT tests across 603 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XS1100? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XS1100 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 stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XS1100.
Yamaha XS1100 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XS1100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XS1100 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XS1100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XS1100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XS1100 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XS1100 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XS1100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XS1100 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XS1100 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 113 | 79.6% | 23,729 | 36,789 | 59,199 |
| 1997 | 109 | 89.0% | 18,187 | 35,024 | 46,879 |
| 1996 | 163 | 79.1% | 25,606 | 38,148 | 50,100 |
| 1995 | 98 | 85.7% | 21,984 | 27,840 | 32,794 |
| 1994 | 50 | 80.0% | 20,827 | 29,286 | 39,283 |
| 1992 | 59 | 78.0% | 7,890 | 19,145 | 33,866 |
| 1984 | 152 | 82.9% | 22,419 | 39,896 | 58,074 |
| 1983 | 166 | 80.7% | 32,365 | 43,376 | 55,794 |
| 1982 | 145 | 75.9% | 11,637 | 35,180 | 56,917 |
| 1981 | 446 | 84.1% | 19,078 | 38,833 | 51,182 |
| 1980 | 426 | 85.7% | 19,396 | 32,656 | 48,438 |
| 1979 | 399 | 84.5% | 18,126 | 32,822 | 48,291 |
| 1978 | 417 | 85.9% | 5,163 | 30,718 | 46,498 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XS1100 Last?
Based on 603 Yamaha XS1100 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XS1100 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XS1100 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 XS1100
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.0% MOT pass rate from 109 tests
75.9% MOT pass rate from 145 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XS1100 is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.0% across 109 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XS1100 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XS1100 THIS CAR | 83.3% | 3,201 | 34,145 mi | 48 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 |
| Sym AV05W Symply 50 | 83% | 1,118 | 10,776 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XS1100 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XS1100 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 XS1100Should you buy a used Yamaha XS1100?
The Yamaha XS1100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.3% across 3,201 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 XS1100 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (62 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (33), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (27). 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 XS1100 owner drives around 404 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 XS1100 models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.