Yamaha XV125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha XV125 car check
Is the Yamaha XV125 reliable? We analysed 8,004 real MOT tests across 923 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha XV125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha XV125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XV125.
Yamaha XV125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha XV125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha XV125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha XV125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha XV125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha XV125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha XV125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha XV125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha XV125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XV125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 50 | 76.0% | 4,864 | 6,256 | 9,377 |
| 2003 | 811 | 79.4% | 4,914 | 10,390 | 18,010 |
| 2002 | 704 | 75.7% | 7,234 | 14,794 | 26,069 |
| 2001 | 579 | 75.1% | 10,188 | 17,424 | 27,009 |
| 2000 | 1,004 | 78.3% | 8,118 | 12,930 | 19,041 |
| 1999 | 1,750 | 75.1% | 8,262 | 13,659 | 20,099 |
| 1998 | 1,643 | 75.4% | 8,777 | 14,327 | 21,895 |
| 1997 | 1,373 | 74.7% | 9,635 | 15,615 | 22,594 |
How Long Does a Yamaha XV125 Last?
Based on 923 Yamaha XV125 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha XV125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XV125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XV125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.4% MOT pass rate from 811 tests
74.7% MOT pass rate from 1,373 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha XV125 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.4% across 811 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha XV125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha XV125 THIS CAR | 76.1% | 8,004 | 14,026 mi | 29 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 |
| Kawasaki Sc | 88.9% | 3,222 | 9,736 mi | 12 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XV125 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha XV125 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 XV125Should you buy a used Yamaha XV125?
The Yamaha XV125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.1% across 8,004 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 XV125 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (188 recorded failures), exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (187), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (157). 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 XV125 owner drives around 608 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 XV125 models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.