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Yamaha XV1700 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XV1700 car check

Is the Yamaha XV1700 reliable? We analysed 3,087 real MOT tests across 322 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,087 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.6%
Typical Mileage
16,380mi
Annual Mileage
863mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Yamaha XV1700 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing 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 XV1700.

Yamaha XV1700 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XV1700. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XV1700 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XV1700 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.6%
2008
90%
2007
88.7%
2006
88.6%
2005
89.2%
2004
91.9%
2003
88%
2002

Yamaha XV1700 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XV1700 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 34
reflector on motorcycle missing 17
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 16
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 10
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height 9
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 8

Yamaha XV1700 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha XV1700 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 17
Valve stem seriously damaged 9

Yamaha XV1700 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XV1700 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
326 mi/yr
Typical
863 mi/yr
Average
1,436 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,905 mi/yr

Yamaha XV1700 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XV1700 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2008 138 90.6% 9,785 15,466 18,165
2007 279 90.0% 10,872 16,091 21,931
2006 397 88.7% 7,890 15,372 24,254
2005 621 88.6% 10,943 17,666 27,079
2004 805 89.2% 8,078 16,408 25,163
2003 541 91.9% 8,712 15,094 24,389
2002 192 88.0% 9,897 18,592 29,219

How Long Does a Yamaha XV1700 Last?

Based on 322 Yamaha XV1700 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.6 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Yamaha XV1700 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XV1700 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
16,380 mi
75th Percentile
25,062 mi
95th Percentile
41,346 mi
Max Recorded
89,627 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XV1700

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

Best year
2003

91.9% MOT pass rate from 541 tests

Year to avoid
2002

88.0% MOT pass rate from 192 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XV1700 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.9% across 541 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XV1700 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XV1700 THIS CAR 89.6% 3,087 16,380 mi 24 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
Hyundai I20 N Line MHEV T-gdi 88.4% 1,464 22,292 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XV1700 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XV1700?

The Yamaha XV1700 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.6% across 3,087 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 XV1700 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (34 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (17), and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (16). 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 XV1700 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 XV1700 owner drives around 863 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 XV1700 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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 XV1700 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XV1700 reliable?
Based on 3,087 MOT tests, the Yamaha XV1700 has a 89.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XV1700?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing, 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 XV1700 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XV1700 does around 863 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XV1700 last?
Most Yamaha XV1700 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 322 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XV1700?
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 XV1700?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XV1700 is 2003 with a 91.9% pass rate across 541 tests.