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Yamaha Xvs 125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xvs 125 car check

Is the Yamaha Xvs 125 reliable? We analysed 786 real MOT tests across 151 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 786 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.8%
Typical Mileage
11,841mi
Annual Mileage
562mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Yamaha Xvs 125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, drive chain worn to excess and drive chain sprocket worn to excess. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xvs 125.

Yamaha Xvs 125 Number Plates

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

Yamaha Xvs 125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

88.5%
2005
78.3%
2004
79%
2003
82.9%
2002
75%
2001
79.8%
2000

Yamaha Xvs 125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Xvs 125 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 18
Drive chain worn to excess 14
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 10
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 9
Drive chain excessively loose 9
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 8
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 7
Floor brake test indicates a binding brake 7
Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. 7

Yamaha Xvs 125 Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
101 mi/yr
Typical
562 mi/yr
Average
1,484 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,969 mi/yr

Yamaha Xvs 125 MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 61 88.5% 7,073 8,975 17,867
2004 92 78.3% 3,836 14,171 19,977
2003 100 79.0% 4,555 11,736 22,246
2002 181 82.9% 6,150 10,554 16,263
2001 144 75.0% 7,640 12,135 18,647
2000 89 79.8% 8,385 13,307 18,303

How Long Does a Yamaha Xvs 125 Last?

Based on 151 Yamaha Xvs 125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.4 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Yamaha Xvs 125 Mileage Distribution

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

Median
11,841 mi
75th Percentile
18,647 mi
95th Percentile
29,612 mi
Max Recorded
201,723 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xvs 125

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

Best year
2005

88.5% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

Year to avoid
2001

75.0% MOT pass rate from 144 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xvs 125 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.5% across 61 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Xvs 125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xvs 125 THIS CAR 80.8% 786 11,841 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
Tgb 204 79.5% 571 11,849 mi 23 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xvs 125?

The Yamaha Xvs 125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.8% across 786 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 Xvs 125 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (18 recorded failures), drive chain worn to excess (14), and drive chain sprocket worn to excess (10). 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 Xvs 125 owner drives around 562 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 Xvs 125 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 Xvs 125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xvs 125 reliable?
Based on 786 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xvs 125 has a 80.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xvs 125?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, drive chain worn to excess, and drive chain sprocket worn to excess. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xvs 125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xvs 125 does around 562 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xvs 125 last?
Most Yamaha Xvs 125 models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 151 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xvs 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 Xvs 125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xvs 125 is 2005 with a 88.5% pass rate across 61 tests.