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Yamaha XT 125 R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XT 125 R car check

Is the Yamaha XT 125 R reliable? We analysed 4,195 real MOT tests across 557 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,195 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
71.1%
Typical Mileage
5,585mi
Annual Mileage
1,419mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Yamaha XT 125 R is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XT 125 R.

Yamaha XT 125 R Number Plates

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

Yamaha XT 125 R MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

75.1%
2011
72%
2010
70.7%
2009
69.6%
2008
70.4%
2007
70.5%
2006
71.8%
2005

Yamaha XT 125 R Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 165
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 143
reflector on motorcycle missing 121
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 116
Direction indicator incorrect colour 106
Headlamp aim too low 84
Drive chain excessively loose 82
Drive chain worn to excess 69
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 68
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 55

Yamaha XT 125 R Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
413 mi/yr
Typical
1,419 mi/yr
Average
2,704 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,192 mi/yr

Yamaha XT 125 R MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 385 75.1% 2,170 3,726 8,735
2010 314 72.0% 2,845 4,355 7,745
2009 369 70.7% 2,483 5,421 11,069
2008 747 69.6% 2,734 6,024 11,920
2007 1,157 70.4% 3,276 5,782 11,584
2006 687 70.5% 3,083 6,084 12,386
2005 468 71.8% 3,158 6,050 12,361

How Long Does a Yamaha XT 125 R Last?

Based on 557 Yamaha XT 125 R vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.8 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Yamaha XT 125 R Mileage Distribution

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

Median
5,585 mi
75th Percentile
11,339 mi
95th Percentile
22,030 mi
Max Recorded
100,552 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XT 125 R

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

Best year
2011

75.1% MOT pass rate from 385 tests

Year to avoid
2008

69.6% MOT pass rate from 747 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XT 125 R is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.1% across 385 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XT 125 R Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XT 125 R THIS CAR 71.1% 4,195 5,585 mi 21 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
Citroen Dispatch 1400 Ent Pro B-hdi Ss 76.2% 3,229 50,054 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XT 125 R?

The Yamaha XT 125 R has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.1% across 4,195 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Yamaha XT 125 R are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (165 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (143), and reflector on motorcycle missing (121). 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 XT 125 R owner drives around 1,419 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 XT 125 R models stay on UK roads for around 21 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 XT 125 R — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XT 125 R reliable?
Based on 4,195 MOT tests, the Yamaha XT 125 R has a 71.1% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XT 125 R?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XT 125 R do per year?
The typical Yamaha XT 125 R does around 1,419 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XT 125 R last?
Most Yamaha XT 125 R models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 557 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XT 125 R?
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 XT 125 R?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XT 125 R is 2011 with a 75.1% pass rate across 385 tests.