Yamaha Xj900 (1992)
1992 Yamaha Xj900
CarHunch analysed 145 real MOT records for the 1992 Yamaha Xj900. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1992 Yamaha XJ900 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82%, which is a solid result for a bike of this age. Dangerous defects show up in fewer than 1 in 7 vehicles (14.5%), so safety concerns aren't a major red flag here.
These machines are running an average of 42,595 miles, which is reasonable for a 30-year-old motorcycle and suggests either careful use or honest mileage recording. You should expect roughly 1.4 failures and 3.4 advisories per test, meaning minor wear items like brake components and lights are the typical culprits—budget for these as routine maintenance rather than alarm bells. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system and carburettors, as these are known weak points on XJ900s of this era.
What to check before buying a 1992 Yamaha Xj900
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 Xj900
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1992 Yamaha Xj900 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 Xj900 vehicles fall between 27,756 and 57,419 miles.
1992 Yamaha Xj900 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 14 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (33% 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 Xj900
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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32.2%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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30.6%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.1%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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18.2%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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17.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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14.6%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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12.7%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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11.8%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Xj900?
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