YAMAHA XJ900

892cc Petrol Class 2

#3334 of 5426 overall #213 of 409 YAMAHAs #2126 of 2787 other bikes

81.2%

first-time pass rate

12.2%

failed outright

32,674

median miles at test

37.1k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The XJ900's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (83.1% → 82.8%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the XJ900's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XJ900 passes first time 87.1% of the time; by 50k that's 76.0%.

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 XJ900

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	2,974	31.5	1.3×
steering and suspension	2,020	21.4	1.3×
lighting and signalling	1,758	18.6	0.9×
tyres and wheels	1,068	11.3	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	476	5	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	362	3.8	0.4×
suspension	324	3.4	0.9×
tyres	206	2.2	0.7×
structure and attachments	126	1.3	0.4×
body and structure	120	1.3	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XJ900 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 XJ900.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (85.0% pass). Weakest: 1986 (74.0%).

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 XJ900 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA XJ900 reliable?

The YAMAHA XJ900 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 37,101 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a XJ900 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 32% of all defects recorded against failed XJ900 tests.

What is the best year of XJ900 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (85.0%) and 1986 worst (74.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XJ900 last?

The median XJ900 shows 32,674 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.