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Kawasaki BN125A3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki BN125A3 car check

Is the Kawasaki BN125A3 reliable? We analysed 1,260 real MOT tests across 149 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,260 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.5%
Typical Mileage
10,914mi
Annual Mileage
637mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Kawasaki BN125A3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and drive chain excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki BN125A3.

Kawasaki BN125A3 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki BN125A3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki BN125A3 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki BN125A3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80%
2002
77%
2001
74.9%
2000

Kawasaki BN125A3 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki BN125A3 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 35
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 30
Drive chain excessively loose 29
wheel bearings have excessive free play 24
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 19
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 18
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 15
Drive chain worn to excess 15
Horn not working 12
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel 12

Kawasaki BN125A3 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki BN125A3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
161 mi/yr
Typical
637 mi/yr
Average
1,230 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,777 mi/yr

Kawasaki BN125A3 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki BN125A3 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 50 80.0% 2,613 6,651 10,334
2001 666 77.0% 6,608 10,969 16,925
2000 501 74.9% 7,297 11,310 15,744

How Long Does a Kawasaki BN125A3 Last?

Based on 149 Kawasaki BN125A3 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.6 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Kawasaki BN125A3 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki BN125A3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
10,914 mi
75th Percentile
16,062 mi
95th Percentile
26,247 mi
Max Recorded
137,658 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki BN125A3

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

Best year
2002

80.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
2000

74.9% MOT pass rate from 501 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki BN125A3 is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.0% across 50 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki BN125A3 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki BN125A3 THIS CAR 76.5% 1,260 10,914 mi 26 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
Dodge (usa) Journey Sxt Crd 70.4% 2,196 81,040 mi 18 yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki BN125A3 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Kawasaki BN125A3 you like?

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki BN125A3?

The Kawasaki BN125A3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.5% across 1,260 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 BN125A3 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (35 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (30), and drive chain excessively loose (29). 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 BN125A3 owner drives around 637 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 BN125A3 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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 BN125A3 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki BN125A3 reliable?
Based on 1,260 MOT tests, the Kawasaki BN125A3 has a 76.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki BN125A3?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and drive chain excessively loose. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki BN125A3 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki BN125A3 does around 637 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki BN125A3 last?
Most Kawasaki BN125A3 models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 149 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki BN125A3?
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 BN125A3?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki BN125A3 is 2002 with a 80.0% pass rate across 50 tests.