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Yamaha XVS1100 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XVS1100 car check

Is the Yamaha XVS1100 reliable? We analysed 28,737 real MOT tests across 2,268 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 28,737 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.8%
Typical Mileage
14,940mi
Annual Mileage
644mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Yamaha XVS1100 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 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 XVS1100.

Yamaha XVS1100 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XVS1100. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XVS1100 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XVS1100 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

93.8%
2016
89.4%
2010
89.4%
2009
91.7%
2008
88.1%
2007
88.5%
2006
89.1%
2005
88.7%
2004
87.4%
2003
87.8%
2002
87.9%
2001
86.5%
2000
87%
1999
82.5%
1998
89.5%
1997
86.4%
1996
78%
1992
78%
1990

Yamaha XVS1100 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XVS1100 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 360
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 226
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 108
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 98
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 76
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 65
Headlamp aim too low 61
reflector on motorcycle missing 57

Yamaha XVS1100 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha XVS1100 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 78
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 65

Yamaha XVS1100 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XVS1100 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
220 mi/yr
Typical
644 mi/yr
Average
1,230 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,552 mi/yr

Yamaha XVS1100 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XVS1100 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2016 64 93.8% 9,104 15,616 22,277
2010 66 89.4% 8,808 12,780 20,105
2009 329 89.4% 6,653 10,953 24,331
2008 482 91.7% 6,447 11,870 19,011
2007 1,633 88.1% 6,715 11,249 19,800
2006 2,281 88.5% 6,816 12,974 20,492
2005 3,096 89.1% 7,662 13,342 20,224
2004 2,361 88.7% 7,787 13,650 21,535
2003 3,179 87.4% 7,636 13,781 22,590
2002 3,882 87.8% 8,721 15,012 23,258
2001 3,492 87.9% 8,782 15,618 25,080
2000 4,999 86.5% 10,919 17,546 27,431
1999 2,268 87.0% 11,247 17,524 25,992
1998 97 82.5% 20,380 26,216 43,952
1997 57 89.5% 8,510 18,304 25,123
1996 81 86.4% 11,345 13,455 53,367
1992 59 78.0% 17,326 19,718 39,822
1990 59 78.0% 22,676 26,511 32,870

How Long Does a Yamaha XVS1100 Last?

Based on 2,268 Yamaha XVS1100 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.4 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Yamaha XVS1100 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XVS1100 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
14,940 mi
75th Percentile
23,633 mi
95th Percentile
42,456 mi
Max Recorded
770,012 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XVS1100

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

Best year
2016

93.8% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

Year to avoid
1990

78.0% MOT pass rate from 59 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XVS1100 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.8% across 64 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XVS1100 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XVS1100 THIS CAR 87.8% 28,737 14,940 mi 27 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
Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel 60.5% 13,935 97,292 mi 37 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XVS1100 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XVS1100?

The Yamaha XVS1100 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.8% across 28,737 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 XVS1100 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (360 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (226), and exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (108). 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 XVS1100 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 XVS1100 owner drives around 644 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 XVS1100 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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 XVS1100 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XVS1100 reliable?
Based on 28,737 MOT tests, the Yamaha XVS1100 has a 87.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XVS1100?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, 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 XVS1100 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XVS1100 does around 644 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XVS1100 last?
Most Yamaha XVS1100 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 2,268 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XVS1100?
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 XVS1100?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XVS1100 is 2016 with a 93.8% pass rate across 64 tests.