Yamaha Yzf R125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Yamaha Yzf R125 car check
Is the Yamaha Yzf R125 reliable? We analysed 19,569 real MOT tests across 3,376 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Yamaha Yzf R125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Yamaha Yzf R125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Yzf R125.
Yamaha Yzf R125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Yamaha Yzf R125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Yamaha Yzf R125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Yamaha Yzf R125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Yamaha Yzf R125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Yamaha Yzf R125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Yamaha Yzf R125 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Yzf R125 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Yamaha Yzf R125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Yamaha Yzf R125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Yamaha Yzf R125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Yzf R125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 325 | 80.6% | 5,701 | 9,734 | 14,580 |
| 2020 | 871 | 81.7% | 5,894 | 10,286 | 16,081 |
| 2019 | 1,910 | 79.0% | 5,934 | 10,613 | 16,772 |
| 2015 | 101 | 70.3% | 7,080 | 11,972 | 17,149 |
| 2014 | 59 | 67.8% | 9,873 | 15,421 | 20,760 |
| 2013 | 142 | 76.8% | 5,068 | 13,095 | 23,650 |
| 2012 | 1,676 | 73.3% | 8,231 | 13,857 | 22,202 |
| 2011 | 2,182 | 73.6% | 8,002 | 13,906 | 21,752 |
| 2010 | 3,664 | 72.9% | 8,054 | 13,781 | 22,048 |
| 2009 | 4,014 | 72.6% | 8,349 | 13,704 | 20,742 |
| 2008 | 4,140 | 73.6% | 8,173 | 13,350 | 20,298 |
How Long Does a Yamaha Yzf R125 Last?
Based on 3,376 Yamaha Yzf R125 vehicles on UK roads.
Yamaha Yzf R125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Yzf R125 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 Yzf R125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.7% MOT pass rate from 871 tests
67.8% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
The best year to buy a used Yamaha Yzf R125 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.7% across 871 tests. The 2014 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Yamaha Yzf R125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Yzf R125 THIS CAR | 74.4% | 19,569 | 13,071 mi | 18 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 |
| BMW 850 | 75.1% | 7,572 | 103,890 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Yzf R125 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Yamaha Yzf R125 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 Yzf R125Should you buy a used Yamaha Yzf R125?
The Yamaha Yzf R125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.4% across 19,569 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Yamaha Yzf R125 are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (437 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (370), and reflector on motorcycle missing (282). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Yzf R125 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Yamaha Yzf R125 owner drives around 1,821 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 Yzf R125 models stay on UK roads for around 18 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.