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Yamaha TW125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha TW125 car check

Is the Yamaha TW125 reliable? We analysed 13,518 real MOT tests across 1,520 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 13,518 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.8%
Typical Mileage
11,287mi
Annual Mileage
725mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Yamaha TW125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include drive chain excessively loose, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TW125.

Yamaha TW125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha TW125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha TW125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha TW125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.3%
2005
79.6%
2004
80.3%
2003
77.5%
2002
77.7%
2001
77%
2000
77.9%
1999

Yamaha TW125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha TW125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Drive chain excessively loose 240
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 175
reflector on motorcycle missing 174
Drive chain worn to excess 170
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 151
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 150
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 146
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 111
Headlamp aim too high 95
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 93

Yamaha TW125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha TW125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
163 mi/yr
Typical
725 mi/yr
Average
1,395 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,863 mi/yr

Yamaha TW125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TW125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 419 83.3% 4,113 8,591 16,366
2004 2,773 79.6% 5,078 9,736 15,786
2003 3,207 80.3% 6,510 11,394 18,259
2002 1,839 77.5% 6,296 11,164 17,012
2001 1,851 77.7% 6,708 12,489 19,600
2000 2,223 77.0% 7,012 12,793 19,750
1999 1,131 77.9% 6,566 11,548 17,794

How Long Does a Yamaha TW125 Last?

Based on 1,520 Yamaha TW125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.2 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Yamaha TW125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TW125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
11,287 mi
75th Percentile
17,994 mi
95th Percentile
31,014 mi
Max Recorded
255,337 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha TW125

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

Best year
2005

83.3% MOT pass rate from 419 tests

Year to avoid
2000

77.0% MOT pass rate from 2,223 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha TW125 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.3% across 419 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha TW125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha TW125 THIS CAR 78.8% 13,518 11,287 mi 27 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
Piaggio X8 78.8% 11,009 19,990 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TW125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha TW125?

The Yamaha TW125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.8% across 13,518 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 TW125 are drive chain excessively loose (240 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (175), and reflector on motorcycle missing (174). 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 TW125 owner drives around 725 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 TW125 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.

Yamaha TW125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha TW125 reliable?
Based on 13,518 MOT tests, the Yamaha TW125 has a 78.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha TW125?
The most common MOT failures are drive chain excessively loose, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha TW125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha TW125 does around 725 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha TW125 last?
Most Yamaha TW125 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 1,520 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha TW125?
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 Yamaha TW125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha TW125 is 2005 with a 83.3% pass rate across 419 tests.