YAMAHA XVS

942cc Petrol Class 2

#1269 of 5426 overall #50 of 409 YAMAHAs #775 of 2787 other bikes

89.0%

first-time pass rate

5.4%

failed outright

8,094

median miles at test

7,033

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The XVS's first-time pass rate has risen 3.6 points since 2006, 86.7% to 90.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XVS passes first time 91.5% of the time; by 40k that's 66.7%.

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 XVS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	158	24.7	1.1×
brakes	150	23.4	0.4×
tyres	119	18.6	2.1×
lighting and signalling	44	6.9	0.1×
structure and attachments	38	5.9	0.7×
Identification of the vehicle	36	5.6	2.2×
tyres and wheels	36	5.6	0.2×
steering and suspension	22	3.4	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	20	3.1	1.6×
suspension	17	2.7	0.3×

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 XVS beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 XVS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (92.3% pass). Weakest: 1997 (78.3%).

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 XVS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the YAMAHA XVS reliable?

The YAMAHA XVS is more reliable than average for its class: 89.0% of its 7,033 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1269 of 5426 models.

What does a XVS fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 25% of all defects recorded against failed XVS tests.

What is the best year of XVS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (92.3%) and 1997 worst (78.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XVS last?

The median XVS shows 8,094 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 66.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.