Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
YAMAHA XVS950
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 XVS950's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2014 (92.3% → 91.4%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XVS950 passes first time 89.2% of the time; by 20k that's 92.6%.
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 XVS950
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
11 | 31.4 | 0.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 22.9 | 0.6× |
| tyres |
|
6 | 17.1 | 1.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
3 | 8.6 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
2 | 5.7 | 0.6× |
| suspension |
|
1 | 2.9 | 0.3× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 2.9 | 0.3× |
| drive system |
|
1 | 2.9 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 2.9 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
1 | 2.9 | 0.5× |
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 XVS950 beats 2 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 XVS950.
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2012 (92.5%). Lowest: 2010 (85.1%). Every XVS950 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 XVS950 FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XVS950 reliable?
The YAMAHA XVS950 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.2% of its 515 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1544 of 5428 models.
What does a XVS950 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 31% of all defects recorded against failed XVS950 tests.
What is the best year of XVS950 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (92.5%) and 2010 worst (85.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XVS950 last?
The median XVS950 shows 9,808 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 92.6% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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