Yamaha XT600 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XT600 car check
Is the Yamaha XT600 reliable? We analysed 22,221 real MOT tests across 2,420 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XT600? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XT600 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XT600.
Yamaha XT600 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XT600. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XT600 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XT600 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XT600 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XT600 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XT600 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XT600 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XT600 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XT600 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 60 | 80.0% | 30,189 | 42,738 | 66,634 |
| 2009 | 98 | 83.7% | 17,524 | 29,288 | 34,130 |
| 2008 | 131 | 84.0% | 10,522 | 26,305 | 41,511 |
| 2007 | 314 | 87.3% | 10,692 | 27,600 | 38,250 |
| 2006 | 403 | 84.6% | 12,190 | 23,694 | 33,364 |
| 2005 | 496 | 82.3% | 15,671 | 29,927 | 44,961 |
| 2004 | 340 | 81.5% | 18,797 | 35,163 | 52,370 |
| 2003 | 5,619 | 87.5% | 6,814 | 12,600 | 21,634 |
| 2002 | 4,272 | 87.1% | 7,323 | 13,954 | 24,703 |
| 2001 | 1,273 | 85.1% | 10,611 | 19,644 | 32,352 |
| 2000 | 746 | 84.9% | 8,772 | 17,990 | 33,169 |
| 1999 | 657 | 85.1% | 14,494 | 23,929 | 38,525 |
| 1998 | 1,019 | 86.3% | 14,026 | 24,163 | 42,900 |
| 1997 | 546 | 83.5% | 13,368 | 26,305 | 44,831 |
| 1996 | 514 | 84.0% | 16,258 | 29,754 | 40,327 |
| 1995 | 445 | 83.4% | 15,279 | 25,538 | 31,456 |
| 1994 | 263 | 82.1% | 13,463 | 27,958 | 45,650 |
| 1993 | 399 | 82.2% | 13,554 | 21,938 | 30,106 |
| 1992 | 486 | 85.0% | 18,384 | 29,524 | 41,131 |
| 1991 | 685 | 81.8% | 21,088 | 31,328 | 42,842 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XT600 Last?
Based on 2,420 Yamaha XT600 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XT600 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XT600 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 XT600
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.5% MOT pass rate from 5,619 tests
76.9% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XT600 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.5% across 5,619 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XT600 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XT600 THIS CAR | 85.3% | 22,221 | 19,857 mi | 42 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 |
| Bentley Brooklands | 81.7% | 13,191 | 58,049 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XT600 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XT600 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 XT600Should you buy a used Yamaha XT600?
The Yamaha XT600 has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.3% across 22,221 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 XT600 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (150 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (141), and reflector on motorcycle missing (129). 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 XT600 owner drives around 586 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 XT600 models stay on UK roads for around 42 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.