Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2001 Yamaha Xj900?

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 2001 Yamaha Xj900?

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 2001 Yamaha Xj900?

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.

How many 2001 Yamaha Xj900 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

22% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2001 Yamaha Xj900 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 185 vehicles, the 2001 Yamaha Xj900 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2001 Yamaha Xj900?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2001 Yamaha Xj900 are: Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (68.5% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (58% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (29.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2001 Yamaha Xj900?

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 Xj900 (2001)

185 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86% first-time pass rate

2001 Yamaha Xj900

CarHunch analysed 185 real MOT records for the 2001 Yamaha Xj900. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2001 Yamaha XJ900 passes its MOT first time at 86%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, but nearly one in five examples (21.6%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a concern that warrants a pre-purchase inspection. This is a reliable middleweight naked bike for its age, with most failures and advisories typical of older motorcycles rather than design flaws.

At an average of 31,297 miles, these bikes are running relatively high but not excessively so for a 23-year-old machine, suggesting mixed-use ownership rather than careful garaging. Check the full service history and have the brakes, suspension, and electrics examined closely before buying; the 7.1 average advisories per test mean wear items are the norm, not the exception.

We have limited data for the 2001 Yamaha Xj900 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

86%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

21.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.92

Over 13.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

29k

Middle half: 18k–42k

For context

These stats describe 185 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?

What tends to go wrong

Across 185 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 68.5%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 29.4%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 26.5%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey

Lighting 13.4%

Front position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on · Headlamp aim too high

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 9.3%

Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 185 Yamaha Xj900 cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Yamaha Xj900

Based on MOT data from 185 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21.6% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Yamaha Xj900 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.

28,935

typical

17,955

low mileage

42,109

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Yamaha Xj900 vehicles fall between 17,955 and 42,109 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 17,955 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.

✓ 17,955–42,109 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Yamaha Xj900s sit.

⚠ Over 56,847 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Yamaha Xj900 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 50% of 2001 Yamaha Xj900s are still active.

55 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 50% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

13.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.92

Avg failures per vehicle

7.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Yamaha Xj900: All Xj900 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2001 Yamaha Xj900 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?