Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion (1998)

181 real MOT outcomes analysed • 34.7% first-time pass rate

1998 Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion

CarHunch analysed 181 real MOT records for the 1998 Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1998 Yamaha XJ 600 S Diversion has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 34.7%, less than half the UK average of 80%, signalling that age and condition are working against these bikes. With only 3.9% recorded dangerous defects, safety isn't the primary concern—instead, this is a machine that needs work to meet emissions and wear thresholds.

At a median mileage of 27,796 for a 26-year-old bike, these examples have been ridden moderately but have likely spent time in storage or seen inconsistent maintenance. The average of 0.35 failures and 1.3 advisories per vehicle suggests common niggles rather than catastrophic problems, but any buyer should budget for sorting brakes, lights, and exhaust systems before passing the test.

Below average reliability 45.3% below UK average
34.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
27,796
typical mileage
20,131–41,656 middle half
3.9%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.35
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion

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 Xj 600 S Diversion

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (93%) 169 30.4% 0.36
Other (7%) 12 94.9% 0.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion 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.

20,131
low mileage
27,796
typical
41,656
high mileage

Half of all 1998 Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion vehicles fall between 20,131 and 41,656 miles.

1998 Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019, 81% of the peak.

10 13 2014 2019

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

2.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.35
Avg failures per vehicle
1.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Yamaha Xj 600 S Diversion:

1997 1999