Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XJR 1300SP
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 XJR 1300SP's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (87.5% → 86.5%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XJR 1300SP passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 40k that's 75.0%.
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 XJR 1300SP
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
27 | 25.5 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
20 | 18.9 | 0.9× |
| brakes |
|
20 | 18.9 | 0.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
10 | 9.4 | 1.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
9 | 8.5 | 0.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
6 | 5.7 | 0.3× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 3.8 | 0.5× |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 3.8 | 0.6× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 2.8 | 1.3× |
| drive system |
|
3 | 2.8 | 0.4× |
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
On first-time pass rate the XJR 1300SP beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 XJR 1300SP.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2002 (89.3%). Lowest: 1999 (81.2%). Every XJR 1300SP 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 XJR 1300SP FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XJR 1300SP reliable?
The YAMAHA XJR 1300SP is about average for its class: 85.4% of its 1,022 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2385 of 5428 models.
What does a XJR 1300SP fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 25% of all defects recorded against failed XJR 1300SP tests.
What is the best year of XJR 1300SP to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (89.3%) and 1999 worst (81.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XJR 1300SP last?
The median XJR 1300SP shows 16,239 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 75.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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