2006 Yamaha Midnight Star 1.9L Petrol · NM55 MDO

The 2006 Yamaha Midnight Star holds a fully current MOT, passing its most recent test on 1 May 2026 at 58,017 miles. Maintenance over the last three years shows a broadly stable picture, though not a clean one. The 2026 test flagged a rear exhaust noise defect under item 8.1.1 (a), a recurring issue that also appeared in May 2023 and May 2025. This suggests an ongoing exhaust fault that has persisted across multiple annual tests rather than resolving between inspections. The May 2025 test also identified a stiff or notchy front steering head bearing, repeating a defect first noted in May 2024. That the same steering head bearing fault has now appeared in two consecutive years points to gradual wear in the steering head bearings rather than a one-off issue. The 2023 test cycle was the weakest, with a failed test on 20 May 2023 at 47,212 miles for a missing rear reflector, an inoperative rear registration plate lamp, and the same rear exhaust noise, all of which were addressed for a pass on the same date later that day. Mileage accumulation tells the story of a low-use machine. At roughly 2,901 miles per year over two decades, this is well below average for a mid-sized cruiser. The annual test intervals show consistent but modest mileage growth: 47,212 miles in May 2023, 48,859 in May 2024, 53,569 in May 2025, and 58,017 in May 2026. The jump between May 2024 and May 2025 accounts for 4,710 miles, the largest single-year increase in this window, which may reflect heavier use or a catch-up in riding after quieter prior years. No large unexplained gaps appear in the record, and the annual testing pattern suggests the bike has been kept on the road consistently rather than sitting unused for extended periods. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the two areas the MOT record keeps returning to. The rear exhaust noise, flagged in three of the last four tests, warrants close examination of the exhaust system for blowing joints, corroded baffles, or deteriorating seals at the silencer and header connections. On a machine of this age, internal rusting of the exhaust can cause noise without obvious external damage, so a cold start and a listen at the tailpipe are essential. The stiff or notchy front steering head bearing, noted in both 2024 and 2025, needs a physical check. With the front wheel elevated, the bars should swing smoothly from lock to lock without notches, resistance, or play. Any roughness here suggests the head bearings need adjustment or replacement, a task that also lets a buyer inspect the fork tubes for scoring and the yokes for cracks. Beyond the flagged items, the low annual mileage raises its own concerns. A bike covering fewer than 3,000 miles per year may suffer from deteriorated rubber components, perished fork seals, hardened suspension bushes, and moisture-contaminated brake fluid from sitting. The rear tyre and brake components should be inspected for age-related cracking and corrosion rather than purely mileage-driven wear. The single rear reflector failure in 2023 hints at minor cosmetic neglect, so a close look at all lights, reflectors, and switchgear for damage or corrosion is sensible. The suspension, particularly the rear shock linkage and swingarm bearings, should be checked for free movement and lack of play, as infrequent use can allow corrosion to build in these areas despite low mileage.