YAMAHA VMX1200

1198cc Petrol Class 2

#2443 of 5426 overall #132 of 409 YAMAHAs #1529 of 2787 other bikes

85.2%

first-time pass rate

8.4%

failed outright

19,008

median miles at test

19.3k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The VMX1200's first-time pass rate has risen 3.7 points since 2005, 85.2% to 88.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the VMX1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage VMX1200 passes first time 87.2% of the time; by 50k that's 83.4%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a VMX1200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	933	28.2	0.8×
brakes	778	23.5	0.7×
steering and suspension	416	12.6	0.5×
tyres and wheels	277	8.4	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	270	8.2	0.6×
reg plates and vin	224	6.8	1.6×
fuel and exhaust	198	6	1.2×
suspension	83	2.5	0.5×
tyres	67	2	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	65	2	1.4×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VMX1200 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the VMX1200.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2006 (93.3% pass). Weakest: 1986 (76.9%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

YAMAHA VMX1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA VMX1200 reliable?

The YAMAHA VMX1200 is about average for its class: 85.2% of its 19,333 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2443 of 5426 models.

What does a VMX1200 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed VMX1200 tests.

What is the best year of VMX1200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (93.3%) and 1986 worst (76.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VMX1200 last?

The median VMX1200 shows 19,008 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.