YAMAHA XMAX

249cc Petrol Class 2

#4044 of 5426 overall #290 of 409 YAMAHAs #238 of 412 scooter bikes

77.1%

first-time pass rate

15.7%

failed outright

12,886

median miles at test

1,404

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The XMAX's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.6 points since 2010, 86.1% to 82.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XMAX passes first time 82.3% of the time; by 30k that's 59.3%.

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 XMAX

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	151	34.6	1.9×
lighting and signalling	86	19.7	1.3×
steering and suspension	58	13.3	1.2×
tyres and wheels	42	9.6	1.4×
lamps and reflectors	40	9.2	1.6×
tyres	27	6.2	2.4×
suspension	14	3.2	1.3×
steering	11	2.5	1.5×
structure and attachments	4	0.9	0.4×
body and structure	3	0.7	0.1×

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 XMAX beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO PX 200 E, PIAGGIO X9, LAMBRETTA GP200).

PIAGGIO PX 200 E 86.5% pass · 28.4k tests PIAGGIO X9 77.0% pass · 21.7k tests LAMBRETTA GP200 87.8% pass · 19.9k tests HONDA Forza 300/350 89.6% pass · 10.8k 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 XMAX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (86.0% pass). Weakest: 2008 (71.5%).

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 XMAX FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA XMAX reliable?

The YAMAHA XMAX is less reliable than average for its class: 77.1% of its 1,404 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #4044 of 5426 models.

What does a XMAX fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 35% of all defects recorded against failed XMAX tests.

What is the best year of XMAX to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (86.0%) and 2008 worst (71.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XMAX last?

The median XMAX shows 12,886 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 59.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.