Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XJ550
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 XJ550's first-time pass rate has risen 15.2 points since 2005, 78.9% to 94.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XJ550 passes first time 75.4% of the time; by 50k that's 75.5%.
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 XJ550
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
157 | 28.1 | 1.5× |
| brakes |
|
148 | 26.5 | 1.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
116 | 20.8 | 1.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
32 | 5.7 | 0.9× |
| drive system |
|
29 | 5.2 | 2.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
25 | 4.5 | 1.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
17 | 3 | 0.5× |
| body and structure |
|
16 | 2.9 | 2.0× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
11 | 2 | 1.2× |
| driving controls |
|
8 | 1.4 | 2.2× |
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 XJ550 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).
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 XJ550.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1984 (77.4%). Lowest: 1982 (74.5%). Every XJ550 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 XJ550 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XJ550 reliable?
The YAMAHA XJ550 is less reliable than average for its class: 76.1% of its 1,569 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4173 of 5428 models.
What does a XJ550 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 28% of all defects recorded against failed XJ550 tests.
What is the best year of XJ550 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (77.4%) and 1982 worst (74.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XJ550 last?
The median XJ550 shows 33,323 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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