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Yamaha XT225 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XT225 car check

Is the Yamaha XT225 reliable? We analysed 2,545 real MOT tests across 247 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,545 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.2%
Typical Mileage
18,026mi
Annual Mileage
437mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Yamaha XT225 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include wheel bearings have excessive free play, wheel bearings have excessive free play and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XT225.

Yamaha XT225 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XT225. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XT225 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XT225 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.4%
2005
86.9%
2004
86.6%
2003
84.4%
2002
87%
2001
85.7%
2000
90%
1999
89%
1998
91%
1997
87.2%
1996
89.4%
1995
84.4%
1992
88.5%
1991
84.3%
1990
83%
1989

Yamaha XT225 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XT225 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

wheel bearings have excessive free play 14
wheel bearings have excessive free play 13
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 12
Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s 11
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 10
Horn not working 9
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 9
Wheel spoke excessively loose 9
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 8
Drive chain worn to excess 7

Yamaha XT225 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XT225 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
161 mi/yr
Typical
437 mi/yr
Average
1,055 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,124 mi/yr

Yamaha XT225 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XT225 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 104 89.4% 3,876 12,732 26,041
2004 175 86.9% 8,037 14,748 18,098
2003 524 86.6% 8,548 17,299 27,304
2002 192 84.4% 17,339 26,315 32,547
2001 146 87.0% 13,379 19,069 24,213
2000 161 85.7% 16,092 18,048 25,305
1999 209 90.0% 10,827 16,711 24,773
1998 181 89.0% 16,125 19,456 25,977
1997 100 91.0% 11,210 20,966 29,804
1996 187 87.2% 15,277 18,453 24,952
1995 104 89.4% 12,390 15,246 21,360
1992 90 84.4% 9,121 13,912 17,732
1991 52 88.5% 24,058 27,982 28,507
1990 51 84.3% 18,246 21,315 25,794
1989 53 83.0% 8,799 22,323 37,147

How Long Does a Yamaha XT225 Last?

Based on 247 Yamaha XT225 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
18.5 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Yamaha XT225 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XT225 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
18,026 mi
75th Percentile
26,527 mi
95th Percentile
45,427 mi
Max Recorded
129,187 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XT225

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

Best year
1997

91.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests

Year to avoid
1989

83.0% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XT225 is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.0% across 100 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XT225 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XT225 THIS CAR 87.2% 2,545 18,026 mi 37 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
Suzuki Gsx 650 FK9 88.1% 3,189 14,822 mi 17 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XT225 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XT225?

The Yamaha XT225 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.2% across 2,545 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 XT225 are wheel bearings have excessive free play (14 recorded failures), wheel bearings have excessive free play (13), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (12). 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 XT225 owner drives around 437 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 XT225 models stay on UK roads for around 37 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 XT225 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XT225 reliable?
Based on 2,545 MOT tests, the Yamaha XT225 has a 87.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XT225?
The most common MOT failures are wheel bearings have excessive free play, wheel bearings have excessive free play, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XT225 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XT225 does around 437 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XT225 last?
Most Yamaha XT225 models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 247 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XT225?
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 XT225?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XT225 is 1997 with a 91.0% pass rate across 100 tests.