Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XV1900
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 XV1900's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.8 points since 2011, 92.5% to 89.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XV1900 passes first time 89.4% of the time; by 40k that's 90.5%.
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 XV1900
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tyres and wheels |
|
11 | 22 | 0.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
11 | 22 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
7 | 14 | 1.0× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
6 | 12 | 0.3× |
| brakes |
|
4 | 8 | 0.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 8 | 0.6× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 4 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 4 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
2 | 4 | n/a |
| structure and attachments |
|
1 | 2 | 0.2× |
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 XV1900 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI GSX1400, KAWASAKI VN1500, HONDA GL1500).
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 XV1900.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (97.6%). Lowest: 2007 (88.4%). Every XV1900 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 XV1900 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XV1900 reliable?
The YAMAHA XV1900 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.1% of its 893 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #921 of 5428 models.
What does a XV1900 fail its MOT on most?
tyres and wheels: 22% of all defects recorded against failed XV1900 tests.
What is the best year of XV1900 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (97.6%) and 2007 worst (88.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XV1900 last?
The median XV1900 shows 18,486 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 90.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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