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Yamaha Xvs Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xvs car check

Is the Yamaha Xvs reliable? We analysed 8,868 real MOT tests across 1,225 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 8,868 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.9%
Typical Mileage
8,491mi
Annual Mileage
778mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Yamaha Xvs is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xvs.

Yamaha Xvs Number Plates

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

Yamaha Xvs MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

91.6%
2018
91.3%
2017
91.2%
2016
89.8%
2015
90.5%
2014
91.5%
2013
94%
2012
89.4%
2011
88.5%
2010
86.3%
2009
82.5%
2008
92.2%
2007
87.1%
2006
90.1%
2001
90.2%
1999
82.4%
1997
86.9%
1996
81.5%
1995

Yamaha Xvs Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Xvs 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 26
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 14

Yamaha Xvs Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 97
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 54

Yamaha Xvs Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
266 mi/yr
Typical
778 mi/yr
Average
1,420 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,811 mi/yr

Yamaha Xvs MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2018 143 91.6% 2,640 4,848 8,404
2017 286 91.3% 3,496 6,355 9,653
2016 1,718 91.2% 4,206 7,731 12,771
2015 1,930 89.8% 4,484 8,240 13,910
2014 2,680 90.5% 4,658 8,199 14,288
2013 492 91.5% 4,718 7,434 12,137
2012 50 94.0% 4,000 6,058 9,316
2011 142 89.4% 6,592 11,477 22,889
2010 104 88.5% 4,090 11,091 13,622
2009 256 86.3% 7,834 13,544 23,210
2008 63 82.5% 4,276 8,905 14,241
2007 154 92.2% 4,460 8,358 15,590
2006 62 87.1% 4,924 9,674 15,599
2001 71 90.1% 2,928 17,986 21,456
1999 61 90.2% 6,228 10,723 25,644
1997 142 82.4% 13,568 17,604 27,926
1996 99 86.9% 7,529 15,541 27,579
1995 54 81.5% 16,893 24,758 48,358

How Long Does a Yamaha Xvs Last?

Based on 1,225 Yamaha Xvs vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.0 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Yamaha Xvs Mileage Distribution

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

Median
8,491 mi
75th Percentile
14,842 mi
95th Percentile
29,476 mi
Max Recorded
81,398 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xvs

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

Best year
2012

94.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
1995

81.5% MOT pass rate from 54 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xvs is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.0% across 50 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Xvs Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xvs THIS CAR 89.9% 8,868 8,491 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
Chevrolet Epica 69.4% 6,727 70,403 mi 18 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xvs?

The Yamaha Xvs has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.9% across 8,868 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common failure point is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm with 26 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.

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 Xvs 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 Xvs owner drives around 778 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 Xvs 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 Xvs — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xvs reliable?
Based on 8,868 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xvs has a 89.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xvs?
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xvs do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xvs does around 778 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xvs last?
Most Yamaha Xvs models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 1,225 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xvs?
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 Xvs?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xvs is 2012 with a 94.0% pass rate across 50 tests.