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Yamaha XS750 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XS750 car check

Is the Yamaha XS750 reliable? We analysed 1,899 real MOT tests across 446 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,899 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.2%
Typical Mileage
27,606mi
Annual Mileage
319mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
49yrs

The Yamaha XS750 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XS750.

Yamaha XS750 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XS750. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XS750 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XS750 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.9%
1983
83.6%
1982
78.8%
1981
83.8%
1980
85.2%
1979
80.5%
1978
83.6%
1977

Yamaha XS750 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XS750 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 41
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 19
Direction indicator not working 16
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 15
Floor brake test indicates a binding brake 11
Direction indicators not working 10
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 9
Throttle has a significant change in engine speed whilst moving the steering from lock to lock 9
Headlamp aim too high 9
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 9

Yamaha XS750 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XS750 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
98 mi/yr
Typical
319 mi/yr
Average
690 mi/yr
Heavy usage
771 mi/yr

Yamaha XS750 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XS750 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1983 69 89.9% 24,016 27,773 36,856
1982 128 83.6% 16,169 30,063 33,950
1981 179 78.8% 22,226 33,884 42,873
1980 229 83.8% 21,044 29,124 41,440
1979 264 85.2% 11,371 20,148 36,817
1978 421 80.5% 22,139 31,399 42,921
1977 225 83.6% 17,767 25,080 35,699

How Long Does a Yamaha XS750 Last?

Based on 446 Yamaha XS750 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
30.1 years
Median
32.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
49 years

Yamaha XS750 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XS750 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
27,606 mi
75th Percentile
39,133 mi
95th Percentile
59,249 mi
Max Recorded
365,528 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XS750

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1983

89.9% MOT pass rate from 69 tests

Year to avoid
1981

78.8% MOT pass rate from 179 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XS750 is 1983, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.9% across 69 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XS750 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XS750 THIS CAR 82.2% 1,899 27,606 mi 49 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
Vauxhall Astra Sri Turbo CVT 88.2% 808 21,404 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XS750 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XS750?

The Yamaha XS750 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.2% across 1,899 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 XS750 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (41 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (19), and direction indicator not working (16). 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 XS750 owner drives around 319 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 XS750 models stay on UK roads for around 49 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.

Yamaha XS750 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XS750 reliable?
Based on 1,899 MOT tests, the Yamaha XS750 has a 82.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XS750?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and direction indicator not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XS750 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XS750 does around 319 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XS750 last?
Most Yamaha XS750 models stay on UK roads for around 49 years based on our analysis of 446 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XS750?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha XS750?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XS750 is 1983 with a 89.9% pass rate across 69 tests.