Suzuki VL125 MOT pass rate and common failures

Suzuki VL125 motorcycles pass the MOT 74.45% of the time, measured across 317 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.62% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Worse than average: 12.4 points below the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 74.45% 236 of 317

Fixed at the station 6.62% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 18,762 miles

Average age at test 22.51 years old

Engine 124cc MOT class 1 and 2

For sale now 0 Suzuki VL125 adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with not working - it accounts for 25% of failed tests on this model.
Then check has a serious fluid leak and excessively loose, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (13.9% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 18,762 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.

Pass rate by age

A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.

Age at test	Pass rate		Tests
16+ years	74.52%		314

Why the Suzuki VL125 fails

Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.

#	Item	Of failures	Tests
1	Not working	25%	15
2	Has a serious fluid leak	23.3%	14
3	Excessively loose	18.3%	11
4	Excessively binding	13.3%	8
5	Flashing more than 120 times a minute	13.3%	8
6	Horseshoe locking device incorrectly fitted	13.3%	8
7	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	13.3%	8
8	Rough when rotated	11.7%	7
9	Does not conform to the specified requirements	10%	6
10	Insecure	10%	6

Most common advisories

Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.

#	Item	Of all tests	Tests
1	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	13.9%	44
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	7.9%	25
3	Has a serious fluid leak	7.3%	23
4	Excessively loose	6.6%	21
5	Excessively binding	5.4%	17
6	Less than 1.0 mm thick	4.4%	14
7	Inscription illegible	3.8%	12
8	Worn to excess	3.8%	12
9	Has a major leak of exhaust gases	3.5%	11
10	Has excessive play	2.5%	8

Suzuki VL125 for sale

No Suzuki VL125 in stock at the moment - 528 other Suzuki bikes are advertised.

Used Suzuki VL125 Used Suzuki All Suzuki Suzuki MOT statistics

Similar bikes compared

Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.

Model	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
Yamaha GPD125-A NMAX 125 · 125cc	8,762	80.8%	45,039
Piaggio VESPA 79-210cc · 79-210cc	8,363	85.42%	11,710
Honda WW · 125cc	7,252	80.32%	40,134
Honda WW 125 A-M · 125cc	5,011	84.06%	29,846
Honda GLR · 125cc	4,737	79.99%	14,642
Honda CBF 100-125cc · 100-125cc	3,204	77%	15,203

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

Suzuki VL125 MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki VL125?+

74.45% of Suzuki VL125 MOT tests end in a pass, based on 317 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a Suzuki VL125?+

Not working, which appears in 25% of failed tests on this model.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.