Yamaha RS125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha RS125 car check
Is the Yamaha RS125 reliable? We analysed 453 real MOT tests across 123 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha RS125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha RS125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicators not working, direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha RS125.
Yamaha RS125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha RS125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha RS125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha RS125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha RS125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha RS125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha RS125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha RS125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha RS125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha RS125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 73 | 76.7% | 14,545 | 16,259 | 23,503 |
| 1978 | 66 | 80.3% | 32,442 | 37,450 | 55,135 |
How Long Does a Yamaha RS125 Last?
Based on 123 Yamaha RS125 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha RS125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha RS125 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 RS125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.3% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
76.7% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha RS125 is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.3% across 66 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha RS125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RS125 THIS CAR | 76.6% | 453 | 16,415 mi | 48 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 |
| Ford Transit 110 T280M FWD | 67% | 479 | 149,529 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha RS125 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha RS125 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 RS125Should you buy a used Yamaha RS125?
The Yamaha RS125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.6% across 453 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 RS125 are direction indicators not working (8 recorded failures), direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp (7), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6). 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 RS125 owner drives around 184 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 RS125 models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.