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Yamaha XVS125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha XVS125 car check

Is the Yamaha XVS125 reliable? We analysed 13,604 real MOT tests across 1,325 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 13,604 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.2%
Typical Mileage
12,667mi
Annual Mileage
793mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Yamaha XVS125 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 excessively loose and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha XVS125.

Yamaha XVS125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha XVS125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha XVS125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha XVS125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

72.1%
2006
78.3%
2005
80%
2004
80.7%
2003
79.5%
2002
78.4%
2001
77.8%
2000

Yamaha XVS125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha XVS125 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 344
Drive chain excessively loose 205
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 188
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 183
Drive chain worn to excess 153
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 132
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 123
reflector on motorcycle missing 87
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 86
Headlamp aim too high 75

Yamaha XVS125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha XVS125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
194 mi/yr
Typical
793 mi/yr
Average
1,476 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,105 mi/yr

Yamaha XVS125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha XVS125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 68 72.1% 7,691 16,242 25,893
2005 660 78.3% 6,451 12,786 20,051
2004 2,618 80.0% 6,018 11,471 18,997
2003 2,745 80.7% 6,572 12,274 19,926
2002 2,473 79.5% 6,594 12,611 21,708
2001 2,736 78.4% 7,817 12,714 19,447
2000 2,269 77.8% 8,880 13,978 20,413

How Long Does a Yamaha XVS125 Last?

Based on 1,325 Yamaha XVS125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.0 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Yamaha XVS125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha XVS125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,667 mi
75th Percentile
20,028 mi
95th Percentile
32,518 mi
Max Recorded
697,924 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha XVS125

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

Best year
2003

80.7% MOT pass rate from 2,745 tests

Year to avoid
2006

72.1% MOT pass rate from 68 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha XVS125 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.7% across 2,745 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha XVS125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha XVS125 THIS CAR 79.2% 13,604 12,667 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
Vauxhall Grandland X Business ED Nav T 89% 5,674 28,847 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha XVS125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha XVS125?

The Yamaha XVS125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.2% across 13,604 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 XVS125 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (344 recorded failures), drive chain excessively loose (205), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (188). 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 XVS125 owner drives around 793 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 XVS125 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 XVS125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha XVS125 reliable?
Based on 13,604 MOT tests, the Yamaha XVS125 has a 79.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha XVS125?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, drive chain excessively loose, and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha XVS125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha XVS125 does around 793 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha XVS125 last?
Most Yamaha XVS125 models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 1,325 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha XVS125?
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 XVS125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha XVS125 is 2003 with a 80.7% pass rate across 2,745 tests.