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Yamaha Xv 250 S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xv 250 S car check

Is the Yamaha Xv 250 S reliable? We analysed 1,012 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,012 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.4%
Typical Mileage
12,227mi
Annual Mileage
276mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Yamaha Xv 250 S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xv 250 S.

Yamaha Xv 250 S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xv 250 S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha Xv 250 S MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha Xv 250 S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.1%
2001
85.1%
2000
87.5%
1999
81.4%
1998
85.6%
1997

Yamaha Xv 250 S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Xv 250 S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 17
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 16
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 14
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 12
Drive chain excessively loose 6
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 5
Brake disc(s) friction surface contaminated by oil or grease 4
Headlamp aim too low 4
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing 4

Yamaha Xv 250 S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xv 250 S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
65 mi/yr
Typical
276 mi/yr
Average
914 mi/yr
Heavy usage
869 mi/yr

Yamaha Xv 250 S MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xv 250 S year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2001 67 85.1% 4,726 10,372 25,471
2000 175 85.1% 5,307 10,159 16,677
1999 248 87.5% 7,086 13,512 17,919
1998 328 81.4% 7,935 12,227 17,146
1997 118 85.6% 10,866 14,840 23,363

How Long Does a Yamaha Xv 250 S Last?

Based on 103 Yamaha Xv 250 S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.7 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Yamaha Xv 250 S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xv 250 S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,227 mi
75th Percentile
17,648 mi
95th Percentile
30,212 mi
Max Recorded
66,097 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xv 250 S

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

Best year
1999

87.5% MOT pass rate from 248 tests

Year to avoid
1998

81.4% MOT pass rate from 328 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xv 250 S is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.5% across 248 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Xv 250 S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xv 250 S THIS CAR 84.4% 1,012 12,227 mi 29 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 Corsa Gs Turbo 89.5% 1,311 20,449 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xv 250 S trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xv 250 S?

The Yamaha Xv 250 S has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.4% across 1,012 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 250 S are exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (17 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (16), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (14). 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 Xv 250 S owner drives around 276 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 250 S models stay on UK roads for around 29 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 250 S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xv 250 S reliable?
Based on 1,012 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xv 250 S has a 84.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xv 250 S?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xv 250 S do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xv 250 S does around 276 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xv 250 S last?
Most Yamaha Xv 250 S models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 103 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xv 250 S?
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 250 S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xv 250 S is 1999 with a 87.5% pass rate across 248 tests.