Yamaha XV250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XV250 car check
Is the Yamaha XV250 reliable? We analysed 5,249 real MOT tests across 526 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XV250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XV250 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 is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XV250.
Yamaha XV250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XV250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XV250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XV250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XV250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XV250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XV250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XV250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XV250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XV250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 53 | 86.8% | 3,094 | 6,106 | 11,506 |
| 2003 | 179 | 82.7% | 6,796 | 13,205 | 21,526 |
| 2002 | 692 | 86.1% | 6,126 | 12,001 | 18,510 |
| 2001 | 441 | 87.1% | 5,969 | 12,068 | 17,622 |
| 2000 | 240 | 85.8% | 5,611 | 9,986 | 13,820 |
| 1999 | 304 | 85.5% | 4,968 | 8,510 | 14,030 |
| 1998 | 474 | 86.9% | 4,744 | 11,064 | 23,268 |
| 1997 | 717 | 85.2% | 7,014 | 12,156 | 18,626 |
| 1996 | 1,113 | 83.3% | 8,935 | 13,782 | 21,141 |
| 1995 | 702 | 81.3% | 9,861 | 15,039 | 22,391 |
| 1990 | 51 | 78.4% | 6,800 | 22,862 | 27,246 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XV250 Last?
Based on 526 Yamaha XV250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XV250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XV250 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 XV250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.1% MOT pass rate from 441 tests
78.4% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XV250 is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.1% across 441 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XV250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XV250 THIS CAR | 84.8% | 5,249 | 12,272 mi | 31 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 |
| Audi A3 S Line Edition 1 35 TDI S-a | 88.3% | 2,473 | 33,900 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XV250 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XV250 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 XV250Should you buy a used Yamaha XV250?
The Yamaha XV250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.8% across 5,249 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 XV250 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (82 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (58), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (54). 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 XV250 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 XV250 models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.