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Suzuki DR125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki DR125 car check

Is the Suzuki DR125 reliable? We analysed 4,473 real MOT tests across 640 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,473 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.7%
Typical Mileage
14,420mi
Annual Mileage
734mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
44yrs

The Suzuki DR125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include drive chain worn to excess, drive chain sprocket worn to excess and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki DR125.

Suzuki DR125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki DR125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki DR125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki DR125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

75.7%
2011
75%
2010
73.5%
2009
76.4%
2008
69.6%
2005
70%
2002
75.7%
2001
76.5%
2000
72.2%
1993
82.4%
1992
66.2%
1991
66%
1990
71.4%
1989
73.5%
1987
75.5%
1985
68%
1984
74.9%
1983
71.2%
1982

Suzuki DR125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki DR125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Drive chain worn to excess 84
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 74
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 69
reflector on motorcycle missing 68
wheel bearings have excessive free play 63
Drive chain excessively loose 62
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 50
Footrest missing 49
wheel bearings have excessive free play 44
Direction indicator not working 42

Suzuki DR125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki DR125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
188 mi/yr
Typical
734 mi/yr
Average
1,495 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,997 mi/yr

Suzuki DR125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki DR125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 144 75.7% 6,516 9,679 13,616
2010 216 75.0% 9,200 12,320 18,406
2009 588 73.5% 7,596 12,194 18,677
2008 237 76.4% 7,150 12,887 17,396
2005 56 69.6% 13,125 19,706 20,954
2002 70 70.0% 3,530 6,653 16,689
2001 749 75.7% 5,664 12,342 19,079
2000 1,060 76.5% 8,754 15,486 22,226
1993 79 72.2% 12,236 16,239 23,288
1992 91 82.4% 19,360 26,806 33,818
1991 74 66.2% 16,670 18,544 21,072
1990 94 66.0% 11,615 15,815 22,720
1989 56 71.4% 11,630 19,374 21,238
1987 68 73.5% 10,596 19,575 25,637
1985 110 75.5% 12,044 18,950 25,002
1984 103 68.0% 11,436 13,383 19,347
1983 191 74.9% 9,834 15,616 28,355
1982 111 71.2% 17,736 24,041 25,922

How Long Does a Suzuki DR125 Last?

Based on 640 Suzuki DR125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.6 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
44 years

Suzuki DR125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki DR125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
14,420 mi
75th Percentile
21,795 mi
95th Percentile
34,319 mi
Max Recorded
278,885 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki DR125

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

Best year
1992

82.4% MOT pass rate from 91 tests

Year to avoid
1990

66.0% MOT pass rate from 94 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki DR125 is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.4% across 91 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki DR125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki DR125 THIS CAR 74.7% 4,473 14,420 mi 44 yrs
Suzuki Swift 76.1% 2,247,517 51,601 mi 31 yrs
Suzuki Alto 74% 1,154,186 41,167 mi 28 yrs
Suzuki Grand Vitara 76.2% 1,025,634 67,542 mi 28 yrs
Ford Fiesta Zetec Auto 90.2% 1,614 42,965 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki DR125 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki DR125?

The Suzuki DR125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.7% across 4,473 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Suzuki DR125 are drive chain worn to excess (84 recorded failures), drive chain sprocket worn to excess (74), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (69). 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 Suzuki DR125 owner drives around 734 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 Suzuki DR125 models stay on UK roads for around 44 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.

Suzuki DR125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki DR125 reliable?
Based on 4,473 MOT tests, the Suzuki DR125 has a 74.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki DR125?
The most common MOT failures are drive chain worn to excess, drive chain sprocket worn to excess, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki DR125 do per year?
The typical Suzuki DR125 does around 734 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki DR125 last?
Most Suzuki DR125 models stay on UK roads for around 44 years based on our analysis of 640 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki DR125?
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 Suzuki DR125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki DR125 is 1992 with a 82.4% pass rate across 91 tests.