Yamaha MT 125 MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha MT 125 motorcycles pass the MOT 73.25% of the time, measured across 1,256 tests in the DVSA record. A further 8.44% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with excessively loose - it accounts for 22.6% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check missing and less than 1.0 mm thick, 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 (12.1% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 14,644 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 76.08% | 255 | |
| 6-10 years | 72.53% | 1,001 |
Why the Yamaha MT 125 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 | Excessively loose | 22.6% | 52 | |
| 2 | Missing | 20.9% | 48 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 18.7% | 43 | |
| 4 | Too high | 18.3% | 42 | |
| 5 | Not working | 17.4% | 40 | |
| 6 | Has excessive wear or free play | 15.2% | 35 | |
| 7 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 14.3% | 33 | |
| 8 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 11.3% | 26 | |
| 9 | Has a serious fluid leak | 10% | 23 | |
| 10 | Grip insecure to handlebar | 8.7% | 20 |
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 | 12.1% | 152 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 8.4% | 106 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 7.2% | 91 | |
| 4 | Has excessive wear or free play | 5.3% | 67 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 5.2% | 65 | |
| 6 | Worn to excess | 5.1% | 64 | |
| 7 | Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied | 5% | 63 | |
| 8 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 4.1% | 51 | |
| 9 | Has a serious fluid leak | 3.7% | 47 | |
| 10 | Significantly and obviously worn | 3.2% | 40 |
Yamaha MT 125 for sale
No Yamaha MT 125 in stock at the moment - 83 other Yamaha bikes are advertised.
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