Yamaha Xp500 (2008)
2008 Yamaha Xp500
CarHunch analysed 207 real MOT records for the 2008 Yamaha Xp500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Yamaha XP500 passes its MOT first time in 75.9% of cases, which trails the UK average of 80% and suggests slightly above-average reliability concerns for a scooter of this age. Dangerous defects are uncommon at 7.7%, so safety-critical failures are not a widespread pattern, though the lower-than-average pass rate warrants caution.
These machines average just 17,140 miles across their lifetime—relatively low for 16-year-old scooters—which suggests many are weekend or fair-weather riders rather than daily commuters. Buyers should expect an average of 0.61 failures and 2.1 advisories per test; the advisories point to wear items like tyres and lights rather than mechanical catastrophe. Get a pre-purchase inspection done by a scooter specialist, as age and storage conditions matter far more than mileage on this model.
What to check before buying a 2008 Yamaha Xp500
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 Xp500
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 205 | 75.6% | 0.62 |
| Other (1%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Yamaha Xp500 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 2008 Yamaha Xp500 vehicles fall between 8,589 and 23,324 miles.
2008 Yamaha Xp500 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 32 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% 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 — 2008 Yamaha Xp500
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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44.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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33%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.3%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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18%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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15.4%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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14.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.7%
Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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13.4%
Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Xp500?
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