Yamaha DT125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha DT125 car check
Is the Yamaha DT125 reliable? We analysed 51,558 real MOT tests across 7,067 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha DT125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha DT125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, wheel spoke excessively loose and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha DT125.
Yamaha DT125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha DT125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha DT125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha DT125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha DT125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha DT125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha DT125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha DT125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha DT125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha DT125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50 | 80.0% | 22,681 | 29,175 | 39,194 |
| 2020 | 112 | 89.3% | 14,872 | 20,532 | 29,194 |
| 2019 | 144 | 85.4% | 10,244 | 17,714 | 26,290 |
| 2018 | 189 | 84.1% | 8,948 | 17,148 | 26,431 |
| 2017 | 257 | 82.1% | 10,624 | 19,370 | 29,439 |
| 2016 | 270 | 80.0% | 10,926 | 20,762 | 29,225 |
| 2015 | 103 | 85.4% | 10,746 | 18,868 | 27,640 |
| 2009 | 68 | 82.4% | 5,758 | 9,409 | 18,000 |
| 2008 | 76 | 75.0% | 8,937 | 15,868 | 23,748 |
| 2007 | 3,974 | 75.5% | 7,370 | 12,231 | 19,361 |
| 2006 | 3,504 | 74.5% | 7,940 | 13,442 | 19,741 |
| 2005 | 5,445 | 74.4% | 7,236 | 13,070 | 20,048 |
| 2004 | 3,749 | 73.7% | 7,595 | 12,955 | 20,201 |
| 2003 | 6,561 | 73.6% | 7,319 | 13,118 | 20,417 |
| 2002 | 5,786 | 73.2% | 8,532 | 14,660 | 22,547 |
| 2001 | 4,576 | 72.1% | 9,461 | 15,783 | 24,016 |
| 2000 | 2,776 | 72.3% | 10,795 | 16,552 | 24,166 |
| 1999 | 2,472 | 71.9% | 10,953 | 18,039 | 24,961 |
| 1998 | 1,261 | 73.0% | 12,556 | 17,983 | 25,224 |
| 1997 | 837 | 70.0% | 11,761 | 18,196 | 24,536 |
How Long Does a Yamaha DT125 Last?
Based on 7,067 Yamaha DT125 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha DT125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha DT125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha DT125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.3% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
69.7% MOT pass rate from 475 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha DT125 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.3% across 112 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha DT125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha DT125 THIS CAR | 73.8% | 51,558 | 15,119 mi | 43 yrs |
| Yamaha Yzf R1 | 86.5% | 175,313 | 16,232 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha FZS600 | 85% | 157,659 | 22,466 mi | 28 yrs |
| Yamaha XJR1300 | 88.8% | 107,128 | 16,836 mi | 27 yrs |
| Porsche 928 S | 75.6% | 20,949 | 108,472 mi | 46 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha DT125 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha DT125 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Yamaha DT125Should you buy a used Yamaha DT125?
The Yamaha DT125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.8% across 51,558 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Yamaha DT125 are reflector on motorcycle missing (1,275 recorded failures), wheel spoke excessively loose (1,042), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (926). 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 Yamaha DT125 owner drives around 972 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 Yamaha DT125 models stay on UK roads for around 43 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.