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Kawasaki BN125A5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kawasaki BN125A5 car check

Is the Kawasaki BN125A5 reliable? We analysed 1,036 real MOT tests across 104 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,036 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.8%
Typical Mileage
9,729mi
Annual Mileage
678mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Kawasaki BN125A5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, drive chain excessively loose and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kawasaki BN125A5.

Kawasaki BN125A5 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kawasaki BN125A5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kawasaki BN125A5 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kawasaki BN125A5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

77.4%
2004
77.3%
2003
79%
2002

Kawasaki BN125A5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kawasaki BN125A5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 24
Drive chain excessively loose 16
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 14
Drive chain worn to excess 14
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 13
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 11
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 9
Headlamp aim too low 9
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 7
Floor brake test indicates a binding brake 6

Kawasaki BN125A5 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kawasaki BN125A5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
156 mi/yr
Typical
678 mi/yr
Average
1,231 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,867 mi/yr

Kawasaki BN125A5 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kawasaki BN125A5 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 53 77.4% 5,397 7,456 15,063
2003 475 77.3% 5,668 10,452 16,583
2002 452 79.0% 5,179 8,896 13,486

How Long Does a Kawasaki BN125A5 Last?

Based on 104 Kawasaki BN125A5 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.9 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Kawasaki BN125A5 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kawasaki BN125A5 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,729 mi
75th Percentile
14,734 mi
95th Percentile
23,194 mi
Max Recorded
219,090 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kawasaki BN125A5

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

Best year
2002

79.0% MOT pass rate from 452 tests

Year to avoid
2003

77.3% MOT pass rate from 475 tests

The best year to buy a used Kawasaki BN125A5 is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.0% across 452 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kawasaki BN125A5 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kawasaki BN125A5 THIS CAR 77.8% 1,036 9,729 mi 24 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
Vauxhall Antara Diamond Cdti S/s 87.2% 766 64,839 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kawasaki ZX-6R (81.7% pass rate) and the Kawasaki ZX-9R (83.7% pass rate), the Kawasaki BN125A5 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kawasaki BN125A5?

The Kawasaki BN125A5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.8% across 1,036 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 BN125A5 are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (24 recorded failures), drive chain excessively loose (16), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (14). 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 BN125A5 owner drives around 678 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 BN125A5 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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 BN125A5 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kawasaki BN125A5 reliable?
Based on 1,036 MOT tests, the Kawasaki BN125A5 has a 77.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Kawasaki BN125A5?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, drive chain excessively loose, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kawasaki BN125A5 do per year?
The typical Kawasaki BN125A5 does around 678 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kawasaki BN125A5 last?
Most Kawasaki BN125A5 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 104 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kawasaki BN125A5?
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 BN125A5?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kawasaki BN125A5 is 2002 with a 79.0% pass rate across 452 tests.