Yamaha DT125R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha DT125R car check
Is the Yamaha DT125R reliable? We analysed 1,128 real MOT tests across 156 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha DT125R? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha DT125R is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include wheel spoke excessively loose, drive chain worn to excess and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha DT125R.
Yamaha DT125R Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha DT125R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha DT125R MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha DT125R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha DT125R Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha DT125R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha DT125R Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha DT125R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha DT125R MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha DT125R year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 76 | 72.4% | 18,412 | 24,063 | 34,701 |
| 2002 | 117 | 76.9% | 4,726 | 13,616 | 25,934 |
| 2001 | 98 | 68.4% | 9,833 | 14,924 | 25,684 |
| 1993 | 60 | 61.7% | 12,008 | 21,958 | 25,894 |
| 1992 | 104 | 76.9% | 15,349 | 18,847 | 29,462 |
| 1991 | 108 | 73.1% | 9,271 | 21,662 | 26,385 |
| 1990 | 144 | 74.3% | 11,380 | 18,064 | 21,925 |
| 1988 | 55 | 72.7% | 8,953 | 25,987 | 32,944 |
How Long Does a Yamaha DT125R Last?
Based on 156 Yamaha DT125R vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha DT125R Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha DT125R 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 DT125R
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.9% MOT pass rate from 104 tests
61.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha DT125R is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.9% across 104 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha DT125R Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha DT125R THIS CAR | 74.6% | 1,128 | 17,953 mi | 38 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 |
| Ducati M1100 S | 90.9% | 1,082 | 10,352 mi | 18 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha DT125R trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha DT125R 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 DT125RShould you buy a used Yamaha DT125R?
The Yamaha DT125R has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.6% across 1,128 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Yamaha DT125R are wheel spoke excessively loose (20 recorded failures), drive chain worn to excess (19), and horn not working (18). 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 DT125R owner drives around 412 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 DT125R models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.