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Yamaha X-city 125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha X-city 125 car check

Is the Yamaha X-city 125 reliable? We analysed 1,248 real MOT tests across 160 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,248 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.7%
Typical Mileage
13,575mi
Annual Mileage
1,610mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
19yrs

The Yamaha X-city 125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha X-city 125.

Yamaha X-city 125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha X-city 125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha X-city 125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha X-city 125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.7%
2012
84.9%
2011
80.8%
2010
80.1%
2009
80%
2008
81.6%
2007

Yamaha X-city 125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha X-city 125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 46
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 30
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 17
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 14
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 12
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 10
Brake pad(s) (sintered type) less than 1.0mm thick 9

Yamaha X-city 125 Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha X-city 125 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 18
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 10

Yamaha X-city 125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha X-city 125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
461 mi/yr
Typical
1,610 mi/yr
Average
2,342 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,245 mi/yr

Yamaha X-city 125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha X-city 125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 73 76.7% 7,632 13,794 25,182
2011 106 84.9% 11,212 20,132 32,894
2010 271 80.8% 9,702 16,136 22,772
2009 266 80.1% 5,392 12,211 20,272
2008 410 80.0% 5,823 10,559 17,260
2007 114 81.6% 10,680 14,873 19,592

How Long Does a Yamaha X-city 125 Last?

Based on 160 Yamaha X-city 125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.2 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
19 years

Yamaha X-city 125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha X-city 125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
13,575 mi
75th Percentile
20,851 mi
95th Percentile
36,188 mi
Max Recorded
105,005 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha X-city 125

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

Best year
2011

84.9% MOT pass rate from 106 tests

Year to avoid
2012

76.7% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha X-city 125 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.9% across 106 tests. The 2012 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 X-city 125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha X-city 125 THIS CAR 80.7% 1,248 13,575 mi 19 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
BMW 318D M Sport 82.2% 2,445 102,260 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha X-city 125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha X-city 125?

The Yamaha X-city 125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.7% across 1,248 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 X-city 125 are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (46 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (30), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (17). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha X-city 125 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Yamaha X-city 125 owner drives around 1,610 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 X-city 125 models stay on UK roads for around 19 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 X-city 125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha X-city 125 reliable?
Based on 1,248 MOT tests, the Yamaha X-city 125 has a 80.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha X-city 125?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha X-city 125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha X-city 125 does around 1,610 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha X-city 125 last?
Most Yamaha X-city 125 models stay on UK roads for around 19 years based on our analysis of 160 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha X-city 125?
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 X-city 125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha X-city 125 is 2011 with a 84.9% pass rate across 106 tests.