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Yamaha XT350 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XT350 car check

Is the Yamaha XT350 reliable? We analysed 6,014 real MOT tests across 799 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 6,014 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.0%
Typical Mileage
20,213mi
Annual Mileage
251mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
41yrs

The Yamaha XT350 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XT350.

Yamaha XT350 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XT350. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XT350 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XT350 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.5%
2003
83.5%
2002
75.9%
2001
86.1%
2000
83.9%
1997
84.8%
1996
84%
1995
79.2%
1994
82.8%
1993
77.3%
1992
83.3%
1991
79.4%
1990
78.4%
1989
80.2%
1988
80.8%
1987
80%
1986
81.7%
1985

Yamaha XT350 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XT350 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

reflector on motorcycle missing 75
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 68
Horn not working 47
Direction indicators not working 42
Headlamp aim too high 42
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 39
Direction indicator not working 33
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 33
suspension bush has excessive free play 32
Drive chain worn to excess 30

Yamaha XT350 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XT350 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
82 mi/yr
Typical
251 mi/yr
Average
740 mi/yr
Heavy usage
674 mi/yr

Yamaha XT350 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XT350 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 51 76.5% 6,841 8,875 13,256
2002 85 83.5% 3,074 9,280 31,102
2001 83 75.9% 28,270 38,220 40,516
2000 79 86.1% 26,212 30,614 50,072
1997 118 83.9% 15,014 21,204 25,592
1996 407 84.8% 8,040 13,742 18,380
1995 306 84.0% 9,999 17,596 24,899
1994 317 79.2% 12,093 19,801 25,342
1993 499 82.8% 10,612 17,661 23,648
1992 475 77.3% 12,964 19,084 28,514
1991 540 83.3% 9,204 17,311 27,420
1990 582 79.4% 12,985 21,119 29,048
1989 597 78.4% 14,520 23,330 30,999
1988 550 80.2% 16,549 25,631 34,584
1987 453 80.8% 18,636 26,119 35,562
1986 419 80.0% 14,834 20,276 36,299
1985 246 81.7% 14,975 24,187 37,439

How Long Does a Yamaha XT350 Last?

Based on 799 Yamaha XT350 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
25.5 years
Median
27.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
41 years

Yamaha XT350 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XT350 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,213 mi
75th Percentile
30,100 mi
95th Percentile
50,544 mi
Max Recorded
503,456 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XT350

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

Best year
2000

86.1% MOT pass rate from 79 tests

Year to avoid
2001

75.9% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XT350 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.1% across 79 tests. The 2001 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 XT350 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XT350 THIS CAR 81.0% 6,014 20,213 mi 41 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
Honda Sh 125 Ad-k 84.6% 2,752 37,145 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XT350 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XT350?

The Yamaha XT350 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.0% across 6,014 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 XT350 are reflector on motorcycle missing (75 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (68), and horn not working (47). 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 XT350 owner drives around 251 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 XT350 models stay on UK roads for around 41 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 XT350 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XT350 reliable?
Based on 6,014 MOT tests, the Yamaha XT350 has a 81.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XT350?
The most common MOT failures are reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and horn not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XT350 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XT350 does around 251 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XT350 last?
Most Yamaha XT350 models stay on UK roads for around 41 years based on our analysis of 799 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XT350?
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 XT350?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XT350 is 2000 with a 86.1% pass rate across 79 tests.