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Yamaha XV1100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XV1100 car check

Is the Yamaha XV1100 reliable? We analysed 15,331 real MOT tests across 1,427 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Yamaha XV1100? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 15,331 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.5%
Typical Mileage
20,082mi
Annual Mileage
444mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

The Yamaha XV1100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XV1100.

Yamaha XV1100 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XV1100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XV1100 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XV1100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.7%
2007
93.3%
2005
88.1%
2004
81.5%
2003
76.7%
2002
84%
2001
82.7%
2000
88.4%
1999
88.1%
1998
87.7%
1997
86.6%
1996
86.8%
1995
86.5%
1994
86.3%
1993
85.9%
1992
83.1%
1991
86.7%
1990
84.3%
1989
79.5%
1988
85.5%
1987

Yamaha XV1100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XV1100 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 204
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 190
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 67
wheel bearings have excessive free play 65
Brake disc(s) friction surface contaminated by oil or grease 49
Brake pad(s) contaminated by oil or grease 49
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 46
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 39
Headlamp aim too low 37

Yamaha XV1100 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XV1100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
125 mi/yr
Typical
444 mi/yr
Average
977 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,146 mi/yr

Yamaha XV1100 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XV1100 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 68 89.7% 2,818 7,220 12,194
2005 60 93.3% 6,462 12,331 21,054
2004 109 88.1% 16,925 20,946 31,303
2003 135 81.5% 4,508 21,858 32,099
2002 86 76.7% 24,865 50,576 62,114
2001 187 84.0% 16,671 25,366 39,136
2000 202 82.7% 16,077 28,482 35,305
1999 805 88.4% 8,848 16,446 24,749
1998 2,310 88.1% 11,062 18,188 27,224
1997 1,976 87.7% 9,978 18,070 27,030
1996 1,463 86.6% 10,326 16,082 25,956
1995 1,528 86.8% 12,301 18,821 29,949
1994 1,024 86.5% 13,415 21,784 31,791
1993 996 86.3% 14,670 21,700 31,445
1992 1,079 85.9% 14,077 23,972 31,305
1991 1,256 83.1% 14,216 21,955 29,770
1990 1,097 86.7% 14,525 22,636 31,942
1989 427 84.3% 18,287 25,482 35,516
1988 88 79.5% 21,080 30,778 44,803
1987 69 85.5% 19,802 33,214 49,461

How Long Does a Yamaha XV1100 Last?

Based on 1,427 Yamaha XV1100 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.5 years
Median
25.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Yamaha XV1100 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XV1100 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,082 mi
75th Percentile
29,912 mi
95th Percentile
50,955 mi
Max Recorded
507,876 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XV1100

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

Best year
2005

93.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

Year to avoid
2002

76.7% MOT pass rate from 86 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XV1100 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.3% across 60 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XV1100 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XV1100 THIS CAR 86.5% 15,331 20,082 mi 40 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 X8R 77.8% 13,638 11,712 mi 28 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XV1100 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XV1100?

The Yamaha XV1100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.5% across 15,331 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 XV1100 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (204 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (190), and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (67). 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 XV1100 owner drives around 444 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 XV1100 models stay on UK roads for around 40 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 XV1100 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XV1100 reliable?
Based on 15,331 MOT tests, the Yamaha XV1100 has a 86.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XV1100?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XV1100 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XV1100 does around 444 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XV1100 last?
Most Yamaha XV1100 models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 1,427 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XV1100?
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 XV1100?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XV1100 is 2005 with a 93.3% pass rate across 60 tests.