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Suzuki RG125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki RG125 car check

Is the Suzuki RG125 reliable? We analysed 2,006 real MOT tests across 471 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,006 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.8%
Typical Mileage
20,400mi
Annual Mileage
471mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
41yrs

The Suzuki RG125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki RG125.

Suzuki RG125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki RG125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki RG125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki RG125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

68.8%
1995
67.3%
1994
68.1%
1993
70.4%
1992
73.5%
1991
70.2%
1990
76.6%
1989
72.2%
1988
61.2%
1987
73.5%
1986
77.6%
1985

Suzuki RG125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki RG125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 69
reflector on motorcycle missing 68
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 53
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 43
Direction indicator not working 34
Footrest insecure 31
Headlamp aim too high 28
Footrest missing 27
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 26
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 25

Suzuki RG125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki RG125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
95 mi/yr
Typical
471 mi/yr
Average
1,176 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,405 mi/yr

Suzuki RG125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki RG125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1995 96 68.8% 14,768 20,849 26,522
1994 251 67.3% 16,297 21,689 29,338
1993 295 68.1% 17,124 22,198 28,421
1992 287 70.4% 12,401 19,248 25,608
1991 68 73.5% 16,156 23,350 29,492
1990 151 70.2% 10,599 15,836 27,120
1989 145 76.6% 10,409 15,866 24,986
1988 115 72.2% 14,884 22,645 30,923
1987 85 61.2% 17,581 21,078 24,345
1986 170 73.5% 9,540 17,984 28,801
1985 58 77.6% 12,254 18,714 26,657

How Long Does a Suzuki RG125 Last?

Based on 471 Suzuki RG125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
20.3 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
41 years

Suzuki RG125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki RG125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
20,400 mi
75th Percentile
27,334 mi
95th Percentile
41,507 mi
Max Recorded
254,514 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki RG125

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

Best year
1985

77.6% MOT pass rate from 58 tests

Year to avoid
1987

61.2% MOT pass rate from 85 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki RG125 is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.6% across 58 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki RG125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki RG125 THIS CAR 70.8% 2,006 20,400 mi 41 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
Triumph TR2 86.2% 2,204 27,367 mi 72 yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki RG125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki RG125?

The Suzuki RG125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.8% across 2,006 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Suzuki RG125 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (69 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (68), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (53). 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 RG125 owner drives around 471 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 RG125 models stay on UK roads for around 41 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 RG125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki RG125 reliable?
Based on 2,006 MOT tests, the Suzuki RG125 has a 70.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki RG125?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, reflector on motorcycle missing, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki RG125 do per year?
The typical Suzuki RG125 does around 471 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki RG125 last?
Most Suzuki RG125 models stay on UK roads for around 41 years based on our analysis of 471 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki RG125?
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 RG125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki RG125 is 1985 with a 77.6% pass rate across 58 tests.