Yamaha RD125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha RD125 car check
Is the Yamaha RD125 reliable? We analysed 4,025 real MOT tests across 993 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha RD125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha RD125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and headlamp aim too high. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha RD125.
Yamaha RD125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha RD125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha RD125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha RD125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha RD125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha RD125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha RD125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha RD125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha RD125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha RD125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 57 | 93.0% | 15,262 | 20,274 | 30,424 |
| 2017 | 69 | 81.2% | 13,779 | 23,014 | 25,850 |
| 2016 | 80 | 80.0% | 12,306 | 17,188 | 23,428 |
| 2013 | 85 | 80.0% | 13,333 | 20,246 | 23,973 |
| 2012 | 65 | 87.7% | 11,301 | 20,515 | 26,100 |
| 1990 | 54 | 75.9% | 24,382 | 29,141 | 34,474 |
| 1988 | 117 | 82.1% | 16,715 | 22,140 | 31,129 |
| 1987 | 430 | 77.4% | 16,986 | 24,294 | 32,486 |
| 1986 | 532 | 77.6% | 18,689 | 25,791 | 36,806 |
| 1985 | 700 | 77.1% | 15,209 | 22,032 | 29,802 |
| 1984 | 476 | 82.6% | 12,608 | 21,700 | 30,094 |
| 1983 | 341 | 77.1% | 12,096 | 21,489 | 32,026 |
| 1982 | 162 | 80.2% | 13,308 | 19,066 | 25,676 |
| 1981 | 106 | 84.9% | 13,326 | 19,432 | 23,037 |
| 1980 | 81 | 72.8% | 7,698 | 19,390 | 21,980 |
| 1979 | 76 | 86.8% | 18,194 | 21,626 | 23,934 |
How Long Does a Yamaha RD125 Last?
Based on 993 Yamaha RD125 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha RD125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha RD125 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 RD125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.0% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
72.8% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha RD125 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.0% across 57 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha RD125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RD125 THIS CAR | 79.8% | 4,025 | 21,752 mi | 47 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 |
| Vauxhall Astra Energy | 82.4% | 4,042 | 75,220 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha RD125 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha RD125 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 RD125Should you buy a used Yamaha RD125?
The Yamaha RD125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.8% across 4,025 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 Yamaha RD125 are reflector on motorcycle missing (63 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (50), and headlamp aim too high (46). 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 RD125 owner drives around 166 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 RD125 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.