Used buying checklist
Yamaha Xjr1300 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Yamaha Xjr1300 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 4.6% of 4,221 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Start with brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 4.6% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 22,452 miles
- 195 failed MOT tests analysed
Brakes is the clearest area to check
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (4.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort, does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls, and is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort
- does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls
- is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied
- remains on when the brakes are released
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- ferrule excessively corroded
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- excessively corroded
- mounting corroded and seriously weakened
- light intensity severely reduced
Focus on brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure
The model's recorded failure rate is 4.6%, -14.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed4,221 tests
- Median tested mileage22,452 miles
- Failed MOT tests195
Should you buy a used Yamaha Xjr1300?
95.4% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 4.6%, -14.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure
- brakes appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Start with brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (4.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Yamaha Xjr1300, MOT records most often point to mixed mot checks.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 0-3 years to 4.9% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
3 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Brakes Seen in MOT results
Brakes is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check brake pipe condition, braking balance, handbrake hold, and recent brake work.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Yamaha Xjr1300, MOT records most often point to mixed mot checks.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (4.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Yamaha Xjr1300 mainly involve 3 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, tyres and wheels, and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Yamaha Xjr1300, MOT records most often point to mixed mot checks. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are brakes, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 3,887 | 3,687 | 4.6%-6.2 percentage points vs all models | 21,420 miles |
| 50-100k | 302 | 285 | 5.0%-15.8 percentage points vs all models | 59,794 miles |
| 100-150k | 6 | 6 | 0.0%-26.2 percentage points vs all models | 124,367 miles |
| 150-200k | 1 | 1 | 0.0%-27.3 percentage points vs all models | 191,876 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Yamaha Xjr1300, MOT records most often point to mixed mot checks.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 0-3 years to 4.9% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 4.9% for 15+ years cars, based on 3,527 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
2 | 2 | 0.0%-8.4 percentage points vs all models | 2.4 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
3 | 3 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 4.1 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
117 | 112 | 1.7%-14.9 percentage points vs all models | 9.2 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
572 | 538 | 3.9%-19.7 percentage points vs all models | 13.9 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
3,527 | 3,340 | 4.9%-21.0 percentage points vs all models | 21.0 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
3 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2016-02-15 | PRIMARY CHAIN MAY FAIL When HY-VO chain (Primary chain) is stretched due to high engine temperature the chain may come into contact with an oil nozzle due to insufficient clearance between the chain and oil nozzle. This can result in a broken tip of the oil nozzle which could become caught between the Primary chain and its sprockets if undetected this may result in the Primary chain failing and loss of drive. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected and replace the oil nozzle with a countermeasure one. |
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| 2008-02-22 | IDLE SPEED MAY BECOME UNSTABLE Engine idle speed may become unstable and the engine may even stall whilst the machine is stationary or possibly moving slowly at idle speed as a result of water ingress into the throttle position sensor. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the throttle position sensor. |
| 2003-08-04 | POSSIBLE LEAK AT OIL COOLER HOSE CONNECTIONS. In extreme circumstances the oil cooler/hose fixing bolts may become loose and allow oil to leak out and contaminate other parts of the motorcycle. Fit a plate and longer fixing bolts to the oil cooler hose connections. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Yamaha Xjr1300. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Yamaha reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.