CarVerify

Yamaha TZR125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha TZR125 car check

Is the Yamaha TZR125 reliable? We analysed 5,764 real MOT tests across 1,312 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Yamaha TZR125? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 5,764 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
69.2%
Typical Mileage
25,952mi
Annual Mileage
526mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
39yrs

The Yamaha TZR125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha TZR125.

Yamaha TZR125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha TZR125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha TZR125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha TZR125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.1%
2015
67.1%
2005
65.4%
2004
67.4%
2003
64.5%
2002
64.6%
2001
70.3%
2000
79.7%
1999
73.1%
1996
73.9%
1995
68.5%
1994
69.4%
1993
67.1%
1992
67%
1991
68.2%
1990
66.8%
1989
69.4%
1988
69.5%
1987

Yamaha TZR125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha TZR125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

reflector on motorcycle missing 265
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 239
Horn not working 123
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 121
Direction indicator not working 121
wheel bearings have excessive free play 108
Footrest missing 101
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 95
Direction indicators not working 94
Headlamp aim too high 91

Yamaha TZR125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha TZR125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
111 mi/yr
Typical
526 mi/yr
Average
1,278 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,477 mi/yr

Yamaha TZR125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha TZR125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2015 67 82.1% 16,265 22,389 28,579
2005 79 67.1% 15,946 22,203 33,060
2004 78 65.4% 15,586 30,602 37,640
2003 135 67.4% 20,676 25,490 34,613
2002 138 64.5% 15,445 18,804 27,957
2001 79 64.6% 19,643 24,486 34,456
2000 101 70.3% 15,458 22,002 30,073
1999 59 79.7% 17,822 23,930 29,550
1996 78 73.1% 12,122 16,045 28,654
1995 165 73.9% 15,284 23,392 28,624
1994 257 68.5% 15,156 22,070 27,698
1993 310 69.4% 18,056 25,695 33,109
1992 565 67.1% 17,406 24,774 33,102
1991 466 67.0% 22,078 29,108 37,528
1990 970 68.2% 20,574 28,080 35,593
1989 745 66.8% 20,888 27,924 35,054
1988 742 69.4% 20,820 28,337 37,109
1987 325 69.5% 16,824 26,472 37,790

How Long Does a Yamaha TZR125 Last?

Based on 1,312 Yamaha TZR125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.5 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
39 years

Yamaha TZR125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha TZR125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
25,952 mi
75th Percentile
34,454 mi
95th Percentile
48,167 mi
Max Recorded
397,654 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha TZR125

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

Best year
2015

82.1% MOT pass rate from 67 tests

Year to avoid
2002

64.5% MOT pass rate from 138 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha TZR125 is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.1% across 67 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha TZR125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha TZR125 THIS CAR 69.2% 5,764 25,952 mi 39 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
Lexus LS600H 88.4% 7,675 78,516 mi 19 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha TZR125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Yamaha TZR125 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 TZR125

Should you buy a used Yamaha TZR125?

The Yamaha TZR125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.2% across 5,764 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Yamaha TZR125 are reflector on motorcycle missing (265 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (239), and horn not working (123). 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 TZR125 owner drives around 526 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 TZR125 models stay on UK roads for around 39 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 TZR125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha TZR125 reliable?
Based on 5,764 MOT tests, the Yamaha TZR125 has a 69.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha TZR125?
The most common MOT failures are reflector on motorcycle missing, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and horn not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha TZR125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha TZR125 does around 526 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha TZR125 last?
Most Yamaha TZR125 models stay on UK roads for around 39 years based on our analysis of 1,312 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha TZR125?
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 TZR125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha TZR125 is 2015 with a 82.1% pass rate across 67 tests.