Yamaha Xj550 (1982)
1982 Yamaha Xj550
CarHunch analysed 107 real MOT records for the 1982 Yamaha Xj550. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1982 Yamaha XJ550 passes its MOT at 80.8%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, which suggests broadly typical reliability for a bike of this age—nothing to worry about on the defect front, with only 9.3% ever flagged with a dangerous issue. These machines are running at modest mileage for their 40-plus years: the median of 34,225 miles indicates most survivors have been carefully stored or lightly used rather than thrashed, which partly explains the solid pass rate.
Expect roughly one failure and three advisories per test on average, typically minor wear items rather than structural problems. If you're considering one, check the service history religiously and have any prospective purchase inspected by a Yamaha specialist—originality and maintenance history matter far more than the MOT pass rate alone for a classic of this vintage.
What to check before buying a 1982 Yamaha Xj550
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 Xj550
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Yamaha Xj550 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 1982 Yamaha Xj550 vehicles fall between 20,447 and 47,811 miles.
1982 Yamaha Xj550 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (42% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Yamaha Xj550
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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21.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.8%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
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16.4%
Drive chain slightly loose
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16%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.1%
Steering headbearing has slight free play
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13.6%
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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13.1%
Headlamp aim too high
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9.4%
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Xj550?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Yamaha Xj550: