Yamaha Virago (1992)
1992 Yamaha Virago
CarHunch analysed 160 real MOT records for the 1992 Yamaha Virago. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1992 Yamaha Virago punches above its weight with an 86% first-time pass rate, beating the UK average of 80%, and only 12.5% of these bikes have ever picked up a dangerous defect—a reassuringly low figure. Nearly all examples are petrol-powered (155 of 160), and they pass at an identical 85.7% rate, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
These Viragos are running at a sensible 20,938 miles median for their age, suggesting owners have either stored them carefully or genuinely ridden them gently. Expect around 1.5 failures and 4.2 advisories per test, which points to minor wear items rather than structural problems—if you're buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, cables, and rubber seals, as these aging bikes will need preventative maintenance rather than major rebuilds.
What to check before buying a 1992 Yamaha Virago
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Yamaha Virago
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 155 | 85.7% | 1.52 |
| Other (3%) | 5 | 96% | 0.2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1992 Yamaha Virago vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1992 Yamaha Virago vehicles fall between 14,371 and 29,314 miles.
1992 Yamaha Virago — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 42 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (47% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1992 Yamaha Virago
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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46%
Exhaust noisy
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41%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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23.9%
Exhaust noisy
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16%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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14.5%
Headlamp aim too high
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11.3%
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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10.7%
Front Wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Virago?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.