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Yamaha XN125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XN125 car check

Is the Yamaha XN125 reliable? We analysed 551 real MOT tests across 113 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 551 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.3%
Typical Mileage
11,018mi
Annual Mileage
894mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Yamaha XN125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XN125.

Yamaha XN125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XN125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XN125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XN125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

73%
2003
76.5%
2002
79.5%
2001
77.6%
2000

Yamaha XN125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XN125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 20
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 15
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 12
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 12
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 11
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 9
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 8
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 5
Headlamp aim too high 5
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 4

Yamaha XN125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XN125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
304 mi/yr
Typical
894 mi/yr
Average
1,857 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,326 mi/yr

Yamaha XN125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XN125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 122 73.0% 6,232 12,530 22,087
2002 102 76.5% 7,288 9,334 14,024
2001 190 79.5% 6,314 10,143 15,370
2000 85 77.6% 6,615 11,513 15,470

How Long Does a Yamaha XN125 Last?

Based on 113 Yamaha XN125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.4 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Yamaha XN125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XN125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
11,018 mi
75th Percentile
16,196 mi
95th Percentile
33,243 mi
Max Recorded
84,006 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XN125

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

Best year
2001

79.5% MOT pass rate from 190 tests

Year to avoid
2003

73.0% MOT pass rate from 122 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XN125 is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.5% across 190 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XN125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XN125 THIS CAR 77.3% 551 11,018 mi 26 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 Kuga St-line TDCI Auto 98.5% 274 49,226 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XN125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XN125?

The Yamaha XN125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 551 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 XN125 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (20 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (15), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (12). 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 XN125 owner drives around 894 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 XN125 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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 XN125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XN125 reliable?
Based on 551 MOT tests, the Yamaha XN125 has a 77.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XN125?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XN125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XN125 does around 894 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XN125 last?
Most Yamaha XN125 models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 113 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XN125?
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 XN125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XN125 is 2001 with a 79.5% pass rate across 190 tests.