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Yamaha Xv Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xv car check

Is the Yamaha Xv reliable? We analysed 3,425 real MOT tests across 422 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,425 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.1%
Typical Mileage
18,544mi
Annual Mileage
443mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
45yrs

The Yamaha Xv is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xv.

Yamaha Xv Number Plates

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

Yamaha Xv MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

95.4%
2014
92.2%
2013
88.5%
2009
89.2%
2008
90.1%
2007
91.4%
2006
83.9%
2005
77.6%
2002
81.6%
1998
85.5%
1997
86.6%
1996
87.4%
1995
84.6%
1994
81.9%
1993
83.1%
1992
85.1%
1991
82.6%
1990
78.2%
1989
80.8%
1987
79.5%
1983

Yamaha Xv Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 36
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 32
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 18
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 16
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 11
Horn not working 10
wheel bearings have excessive free play 9
reflector on motorcycle missing 9

Yamaha Xv Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Xv models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 15

Yamaha Xv Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
129 mi/yr
Typical
443 mi/yr
Average
1,065 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,169 mi/yr

Yamaha Xv MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2014 109 95.4% 6,581 8,674 15,084
2013 77 92.2% 4,073 10,028 14,330
2009 78 88.5% 10,521 16,095 22,102
2008 139 89.2% 16,560 28,653 38,118
2007 91 90.1% 10,200 15,056 25,585
2006 58 91.4% 13,566 20,181 22,638
2005 56 83.9% 12,480 15,511 19,692
2002 58 77.6% 8,446 14,436 20,917
1998 76 81.6% 8,885 17,682 29,780
1997 346 85.5% 8,092 16,868 27,966
1996 372 86.6% 10,087 17,725 23,247
1995 277 87.4% 10,998 18,843 31,553
1994 169 84.6% 12,423 18,032 26,716
1993 182 81.9% 7,622 15,489 26,680
1992 295 83.1% 15,222 21,086 31,929
1991 134 85.1% 22,252 27,149 36,712
1990 149 82.6% 18,266 25,700 30,188
1989 78 78.2% 17,938 23,483 30,455
1987 78 80.8% 9,823 14,891 28,334
1983 78 79.5% 21,860 24,950 35,729

How Long Does a Yamaha Xv Last?

Based on 422 Yamaha Xv vehicles on UK roads.

Average
21.3 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
45 years

Yamaha Xv Mileage Distribution

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

Median
18,544 mi
75th Percentile
27,451 mi
95th Percentile
43,248 mi
Max Recorded
336,624 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xv

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

Best year
2014

95.4% MOT pass rate from 109 tests

Year to avoid
2002

77.6% MOT pass rate from 58 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xv is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.4% across 109 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Xv Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xv THIS CAR 86.1% 3,425 18,544 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
Suzuki Gsf 650 Sa K6 85.9% 6,034 16,317 mi 20 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xv sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xv?

The Yamaha Xv has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.1% across 3,425 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 Xv are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (36 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (32), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (18). 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Xv 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 Xv owner drives around 443 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 Xv 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.

Yamaha Xv — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xv reliable?
Based on 3,425 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xv has a 86.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xv?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xv do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xv does around 443 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xv last?
Most Yamaha Xv models stay on UK roads for around 45 years based on our analysis of 422 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xv?
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 Xv?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xv is 2014 with a 95.4% pass rate across 109 tests.