Yamaha Xj600 (2002)
2002 Yamaha Xj600
CarHunch analysed 172 real MOT records for the 2002 Yamaha Xj600. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Yamaha XJ600 passes its MOT on the first attempt 85% of the time, which is a solid 5 percentage points above the UK average and suggests decent baseline reliability for a 22-year-old bike. However, nearly a quarter of these machines (24.4%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, which is a genuine concern for a prospective buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
At just under 20,500 miles on average, these XJ600s are running relatively low mileage for their age, though that's also typical of older commuter bikes that spend winters off the road. The average bike fails on two defects and racks up 7.6 advisories per test, indicating that while major issues are caught early, ongoing wear—probably exhaust, bearings, and consumables—is routine, so budget for regular maintenance and have any prospective purchase inspected by a qualified mechanic before committing.
What to check before buying a 2002 Yamaha Xj600
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.
- ⚠️ 24.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Xj600
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Yamaha Xj600 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 2002 Yamaha Xj600 vehicles fall between 10,805 and 26,651 miles.
2002 Yamaha Xj600 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 41 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% 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 — 2002 Yamaha Xj600
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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44.2%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.4%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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29.5%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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27.1%
Drive chain slightly loose
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21.5%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
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20.9%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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15.3%
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Xj600?
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