Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XJ6S
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 XJ6S's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.5 points since 2013, 87.3% to 77.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XJ6S passes first time 92.3% of the time; by 40k that's 75.6%.
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 XJ6S
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
33 | 22 | 1.5× |
| brakes |
|
26 | 17.3 | 0.6× |
| suspension |
|
22 | 14.7 | 2.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
17 | 11.3 | 0.8× |
| tyres |
|
17 | 11.3 | 2.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
14 | 9.3 | 1.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
9 | 6 | 0.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
6 | 4 | 0.2× |
| steering |
|
3 | 2 | 0.5× |
| drive system |
|
3 | 2 | 0.3× |
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 XJ6S beats 4 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 XJ6S.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (90.4%). Lowest: 2010 (81.5%). Every XJ6S 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 XJ6S FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XJ6S reliable?
The YAMAHA XJ6S is about average for its class: 84.9% of its 987 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2516 of 5428 models.
What does a XJ6S fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 22% of all defects recorded against failed XJ6S tests.
What is the best year of XJ6S to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (90.4%) and 2010 worst (81.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XJ6S last?
The median XJ6S shows 13,422 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 75.6% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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