Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XJ 900 S
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The XJ 900 S's first-time pass rate has risen 19.6 points since 2005, 73.3% to 92.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XJ 900 S passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 50k that's 77.0%.
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 XJ 900 S
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
99 | 28.5 | 1.3× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
74 | 21.3 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
71 | 20.5 | 1.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
35 | 10.1 | 1.2× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
25 | 7.2 | 0.9× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
22 | 6.3 | 1.8× |
| suspension |
|
7 | 2 | 0.6× |
| tyres |
|
7 | 2 | 0.7× |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 1.2 | 0.5× |
| steering |
|
3 | 0.9 | 0.6× |
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
On first-time pass rate the XJ 900 S beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, SUZUKI GSF1200).
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 XJ 900 S.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2003 (86.1%). Lowest: 2001 (72.5%). Every XJ 900 S year compared →
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 XJ 900 S FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XJ 900 S reliable?
The YAMAHA XJ 900 S is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 1,303 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3336 of 5428 models.
What does a XJ 900 S fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 29% of all defects recorded against failed XJ 900 S tests.
What is the best year of XJ 900 S to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (86.1%) and 2001 worst (72.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XJ 900 S last?
The median XJ 900 S shows 29,234 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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