Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XT660
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 XT660's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.2 points since 2011, 84.6% to 78.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XT660 passes first time 93.9% of the time; by 40k that's 79.7%.
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 XT660
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
32 | 25.6 | 0.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
20 | 16 | 0.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
16 | 12.8 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
12 | 9.6 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
11 | 8.8 | 0.6× |
| structure and attachments |
|
10 | 8 | 1.3× |
| drive system |
|
8 | 6.4 | 0.6× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 5.6 | 1.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
5 | 4 | 2.3× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
4 | 3.2 | 2.4× |
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 XT660 beats 3 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 XT660.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2005 (90.2%). Lowest: 2004 (76.2%). Every XT660 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 XT660 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XT660 reliable?
The YAMAHA XT660 is about average for its class: 86.4% of its 926 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2091 of 5428 models.
What does a XT660 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 26% of all defects recorded against failed XT660 tests.
What is the best year of XT660 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 2004 worst (76.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XT660 last?
The median XT660 shows 13,842 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 79.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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