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Yamaha YP125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha YP125 car check

Is the Yamaha YP125 reliable? We analysed 11,716 real MOT tests across 1,516 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 11,716 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.0%
Typical Mileage
12,958mi
Annual Mileage
1,144mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Yamaha YP125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha YP125.

Yamaha YP125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha YP125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha YP125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha YP125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.6%
2012
75.5%
2011
86.7%
2010
78.8%
2009
81.7%
2008
78%
2007
80.3%
2006
73.9%
2005
72.6%
2004
74.6%
2003
74.2%
2002
74.2%
2001
74.5%
2000
76.7%
1999

Yamaha YP125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha YP125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 562
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 506
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 506
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 401
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 153
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 127
Tyre valve stem damaged which could cause sudden tyre deflation 123
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 103
Headlamp aim too high 98
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing 96

Yamaha YP125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha YP125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
333 mi/yr
Typical
1,144 mi/yr
Average
1,923 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,542 mi/yr

Yamaha YP125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha YP125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 187 85.6% 12,704 20,065 31,734
2011 277 75.5% 11,146 18,530 28,585
2010 165 86.7% 6,595 16,655 31,319
2009 293 78.8% 7,313 11,591 18,261
2008 491 81.7% 6,874 11,952 17,806
2007 663 78.0% 6,774 12,618 18,818
2006 574 80.3% 5,235 10,902 17,924
2005 706 73.9% 7,417 13,387 22,802
2004 638 72.6% 8,765 13,772 19,329
2003 992 74.6% 6,577 11,653 19,712
2002 1,150 74.2% 6,392 11,597 19,449
2001 1,530 74.2% 6,971 11,859 18,051
2000 2,284 74.5% 8,329 13,868 21,586
1999 1,718 76.7% 7,586 13,395 20,867

How Long Does a Yamaha YP125 Last?

Based on 1,516 Yamaha YP125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.4 years
Median
11.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Yamaha YP125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha YP125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,958 mi
75th Percentile
20,291 mi
95th Percentile
35,146 mi
Max Recorded
438,343 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha YP125

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

Best year
2010

86.7% MOT pass rate from 165 tests

Year to avoid
2004

72.6% MOT pass rate from 638 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha YP125 is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.7% across 165 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha YP125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha YP125 THIS CAR 76.0% 11,716 12,958 mi 27 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
Aixam A751 Super Luxe 71% 3,683 19,500 mi 21 yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha YP125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha YP125?

The Yamaha YP125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.0% across 11,716 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 YP125 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (562 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (506), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (506). 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 YP125 owner drives around 1,144 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 YP125 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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 YP125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha YP125 reliable?
Based on 11,716 MOT tests, the Yamaha YP125 has a 76.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha YP125?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha YP125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha YP125 does around 1,144 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha YP125 last?
Most Yamaha YP125 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 1,516 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha YP125?
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 YP125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha YP125 is 2010 with a 86.7% pass rate across 165 tests.