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Kawasaki BN125A1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki BN125A1 car check

Is the Kawasaki BN125A1 reliable? We analysed 1,189 real MOT tests across 156 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,189 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.2%
Typical Mileage
13,271mi
Annual Mileage
730mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Kawasaki BN125A1 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki BN125A1.

Kawasaki BN125A1 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki BN125A1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki BN125A1 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki BN125A1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.7%
2000
76.2%
1999
76.6%
1998

Kawasaki BN125A1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki BN125A1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 25
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 20
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 19
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 16
Drive chain excessively loose 16
Drive chain worn to excess 15
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 13
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 13
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 12
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 11

Kawasaki BN125A1 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki BN125A1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
175 mi/yr
Typical
730 mi/yr
Average
1,264 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,761 mi/yr

Kawasaki BN125A1 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki BN125A1 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 69 79.7% 5,992 10,929 17,601
1999 370 76.2% 8,862 12,966 17,446
1998 610 76.6% 8,791 14,240 22,056

How Long Does a Kawasaki BN125A1 Last?

Based on 156 Kawasaki BN125A1 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.7 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Kawasaki BN125A1 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki BN125A1 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
13,271 mi
75th Percentile
19,542 mi
95th Percentile
28,907 mi
Max Recorded
89,183 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki BN125A1

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

Best year
2000

79.7% MOT pass rate from 69 tests

Year to avoid
1999

76.2% MOT pass rate from 370 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki BN125A1 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.7% across 69 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki BN125A1 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki BN125A1 THIS CAR 76.2% 1,189 13,271 mi 28 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
Renault Captur RS Line Tce Auto 93.2% 1,088 19,217 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki BN125A1 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki BN125A1 you like?

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki BN125A1?

The Kawasaki BN125A1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.2% across 1,189 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Kawasaki BN125A1 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (25 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (20), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (19). 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 BN125A1 owner drives around 730 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 BN125A1 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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 BN125A1 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki BN125A1 reliable?
Based on 1,189 MOT tests, the Kawasaki BN125A1 has a 76.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki BN125A1?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki BN125A1 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki BN125A1 does around 730 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki BN125A1 last?
Most Kawasaki BN125A1 models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 156 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki BN125A1?
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 BN125A1?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki BN125A1 is 2000 with a 79.7% pass rate across 69 tests.