Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 107 vehicles, the 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Yamaha Xj 900 S (1999)

107 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.8% first-time pass rate

1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S

CarHunch analysed 107 real MOT records for the 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1999 Yamaha XJ 900 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 31.1%, less than half the UK average of 80%, which makes it a genuine reliability concern for any buyer. The dangerous defect rate sits at a modest 3.7%, so while structural or safety issues aren't rampant, the sheer volume of failures across this cohort suggests significant wear.

At nearly 30,000 miles on average, these bikes have covered reasonable mileage for their age, yet they're still accumulating an average of 0.34 failures and 1.0 advisories per test—a sign that age and condition matter far more than miles here. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection by a motorcycle specialist, because the MOT pass rate tells you that most examples of this model need work to pass, not just minor tweaks.

We have limited data for the 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

82.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

3.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.34

Over 3.2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

25k

Middle half: 18k–43k

For context

These stats describe 107 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 107 Yamaha Xj 900 S cars.

Before you buy a 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S

Based on MOT data from 107 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	104	82.5%	0.34

Mileage Distribution

Most 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

25,219

typical

18,478

low mileage

42,945

high mileage

Half of all 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S vehicles fall between 18,478 and 42,945 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 18,478 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 18,478–42,945 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 Ss sit.

⚠ Over 57,975 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1999 Yamaha Xj 900 S — Still on the Road

Most 1999 Yamaha Xj 900 Ss are still being driven.

Strong survival — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022, 83% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2022.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.34

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Yamaha Xj 900 S: All Xj 900 S years → Which year to buy? →

1998

Or browse all models: Yamaha →

Compare with another model

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Average reliability — agree?