Yamaha XVS250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XVS250 car check
Is the Yamaha XVS250 reliable? We analysed 2,692 real MOT tests across 235 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XVS250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XVS250 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 XVS250.
Yamaha XVS250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XVS250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XVS250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XVS250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XVS250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XVS250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XVS250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XVS250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XVS250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XVS250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 300 | 88.7% | 5,052 | 9,499 | 15,721 |
| 2003 | 496 | 91.9% | 4,785 | 8,214 | 14,682 |
| 2002 | 195 | 82.6% | 4,660 | 7,548 | 14,708 |
| 2001 | 544 | 86.9% | 4,497 | 9,782 | 17,372 |
| 2000 | 863 | 86.6% | 5,431 | 9,168 | 14,525 |
| 1999 | 64 | 87.5% | 6,464 | 13,490 | 17,786 |
| 1997 | 62 | 87.1% | 4,906 | 5,966 | 6,782 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XVS250 Last?
Based on 235 Yamaha XVS250 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XVS250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XVS250 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 XVS250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.9% MOT pass rate from 496 tests
82.6% MOT pass rate from 195 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XVS250 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.9% across 496 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XVS250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XVS250 THIS CAR | 87.1% | 2,692 | 9,173 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 |
| Hyundai I30 SE Connect MHEV T-gdi | 87.6% | 1,659 | 31,060 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XVS250 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XVS250 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 XVS250Should you buy a used Yamaha XVS250?
The Yamaha XVS250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.1% across 2,692 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 XVS250 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (40 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (24), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (21). 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 XVS250 owner drives around 333 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 XVS250 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.