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Kawasaki AR125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki AR125 car check

Is the Kawasaki AR125 reliable? We analysed 1,325 real MOT tests across 330 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,325 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.0%
Typical Mileage
18,056mi
Annual Mileage
297mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

The Kawasaki AR125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and footrest missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki AR125.

Kawasaki AR125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki AR125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki AR125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki AR125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.5%
1994
82.3%
1992
77.2%
1991
74%
1990
72.1%
1989
69.9%
1988
74.5%
1987
75.7%
1986

Kawasaki AR125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki AR125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

reflector on motorcycle missing 41
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 33
Footrest missing 30
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 27
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 25
Headlamp aim too low 21
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 21
Footrest insecure 19
Drive chain excessively loose 19
Drive chain worn to excess 18

Kawasaki AR125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki AR125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
60 mi/yr
Typical
297 mi/yr
Average
894 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,049 mi/yr

Kawasaki AR125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki AR125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1994 102 76.5% 7,950 13,439 18,056
1992 79 82.3% 8,133 12,662 15,706
1991 79 77.2% 11,174 16,114 22,374
1990 215 74.0% 12,465 19,575 28,166
1989 240 72.1% 15,086 19,335 25,056
1988 173 69.9% 15,638 19,548 26,279
1987 98 74.5% 12,196 19,683 23,987
1986 111 75.7% 10,772 13,480 19,144

How Long Does a Kawasaki AR125 Last?

Based on 330 Kawasaki AR125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.1 years
Median
22.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Kawasaki AR125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki AR125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
18,056 mi
75th Percentile
23,994 mi
95th Percentile
34,187 mi
Max Recorded
336,604 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki AR125

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1992

82.3% MOT pass rate from 79 tests

Year to avoid
1988

69.9% MOT pass rate from 173 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki AR125 is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.3% across 79 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki AR125 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki AR125 THIS CAR 74.0% 1,325 18,056 mi 40 yrs
Kawasaki ZX-6R 81.7% 204,826 19,965 mi 31 yrs
Kawasaki ZX-9R 83.7% 103,150 22,736 mi 32 yrs
Kawasaki ER5 81.2% 65,763 22,023 mi 30 yrs
Toyota RAV4 Business ED Tss D-4D 4X2 97.6% 450 64,351 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki AR125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki AR125 you like?

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki AR125?

The Kawasaki AR125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.0% across 1,325 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Kawasaki AR125 are reflector on motorcycle missing (41 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (33), and footrest missing (30). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Kawasaki AR125 owner drives around 297 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Kawasaki AR125 models stay on UK roads for around 40 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Kawasaki AR125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki AR125 reliable?
Based on 1,325 MOT tests, the Kawasaki AR125 has a 74.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki AR125?
The most common MOT failures are reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and footrest missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki AR125 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki AR125 does around 297 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki AR125 last?
Most Kawasaki AR125 models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 330 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki AR125?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Kawasaki AR125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki AR125 is 1992 with a 82.3% pass rate across 79 tests.