Yamaha XT Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XT car check
Is the Yamaha XT reliable? We analysed 9,195 real MOT tests across 1,322 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XT? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XT is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XT.
Yamaha XT Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XT. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XT MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XT to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XT Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XT fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XT Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha XT models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha XT Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XT owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XT MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XT year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 191 | 93.2% | 10,825 | 16,672 | 27,257 |
| 2016 | 790 | 92.2% | 8,187 | 14,476 | 22,512 |
| 2015 | 1,403 | 92.4% | 7,594 | 14,142 | 23,693 |
| 2014 | 2,379 | 92.8% | 8,094 | 15,421 | 24,970 |
| 2013 | 412 | 91.5% | 6,198 | 11,676 | 20,496 |
| 2012 | 92 | 88.0% | 4,892 | 8,570 | 14,828 |
| 2011 | 135 | 77.0% | 3,469 | 9,419 | 18,659 |
| 2010 | 137 | 87.6% | 5,530 | 16,736 | 29,195 |
| 2009 | 267 | 83.5% | 6,000 | 13,931 | 27,922 |
| 2008 | 206 | 79.1% | 1,999 | 5,003 | 13,769 |
| 2007 | 209 | 76.6% | 3,679 | 8,996 | 17,159 |
| 2006 | 152 | 81.6% | 5,931 | 13,098 | 21,120 |
| 2005 | 87 | 83.9% | 3,259 | 5,850 | 9,342 |
| 2004 | 107 | 92.5% | 3,278 | 9,295 | 22,702 |
| 2003 | 95 | 78.9% | 10,935 | 18,125 | 40,602 |
| 2002 | 108 | 86.1% | 5,108 | 20,905 | 31,395 |
| 2001 | 89 | 76.4% | 10,550 | 27,701 | 40,802 |
| 2000 | 88 | 89.8% | 21,532 | 29,999 | 43,012 |
| 1998 | 189 | 86.8% | 9,877 | 21,989 | 29,500 |
| 1997 | 111 | 91.9% | 10,657 | 14,632 | 25,893 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XT Last?
Based on 1,322 Yamaha XT vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XT Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XT 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 XT
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.2% MOT pass rate from 191 tests
76.4% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XT is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.2% across 191 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XT Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XT THIS CAR | 88.4% | 9,195 | 15,767 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 |
| Vauxhall Zafira Life | 72.6% | 3,513 | 101,587 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XT outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XT 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 XTShould you buy a used Yamaha XT?
The Yamaha XT has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.4% across 9,195 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 XT are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (40 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (31), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (25). 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha XT 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 XT owner drives around 1,019 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 XT 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.