Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Victory 8 Ball vs Yamaha XJR1300
The Yamaha XJR1300 passes its MOT first time more often than the Victory 8 Ball: 87.4% vs 82.5%, a 4.9-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Victory 8 Ball | Yamaha XJR1300 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 82.5% | 87.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 7.1% | 5.6% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -4.1 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Engine size | 1,634cc | 1,250cc |
| Rank among all models | #3073 of 5428 | #1787 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 9,996 | 16,186 |
| MOT tests analysed | 663 | 95,093 |
| Most common failure | lamps and reflectors | brakes |
First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.
"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.
What fails, side by side
| Component | Victory 8 Ball | Yamaha XJR1300 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.8% | 2.1% |
| Brakes | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 2.1% | 1.0% |
| Tyres & wheels | 0.9% | 1.7% |
| Structure & body | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Drive system | 0.2% | 0.3% |
A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.
Pass rate by test year
| Test year | Victory 8 Ball | Yamaha XJR1300 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 83.8% | 87.3% |
| 2019 | 82.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020 | 94.4% | 89.1% |
| 2021 | 71.7% | 88.3% |
| 2022 | 94.3% | 89.1% |
| 2023 | 83.7% | 89.6% |
| 2024 | 88.2% | 90.1% |
| 2025 | 79.5% | 90.5% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Victory 8 Ball | Yamaha XJR1300 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 81.5% | 90.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 85.5% | 87.9% |
| 20k-30k miles | 81.7% | 85.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 74.2% | 84.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Victory 8 Ball vs Yamaha XJR1300 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Victory 8 Ball or the Yamaha XJR1300?
The Yamaha XJR1300 passes its MOT first time more often than the Victory 8 Ball: 87.4% vs 82.5%, a 4.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha XJR1300 still comes out ahead: -4.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Victory 8 Ball, +2.8 for the Yamaha XJR1300. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Victory 8 Ball fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Victory 8 Ball MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.1%).
What does the Yamaha XJR1300 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.1% of Yamaha XJR1300 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.8%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Victory 8 Ball or the Yamaha XJR1300?
At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha XJR1300 passes first time more often: 74.2% for the Victory 8 Ball vs 84.4% for the Yamaha XJR1300.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.