Yamaha MT 125 (MTN 125-A) MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha MT 125 (MTN 125-A) motorcycles pass the MOT 76.94% of the time, measured across 1,032 tests in the DVSA record. A further 10.17% 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 missing - it accounts for 44.4% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check too high and does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s), 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 (8.6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 10,450 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 | 76.94% | 1,032 |
Why the Yamaha MT 125 (MTN 125-A) 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 | Missing | 44.4% | 59 | |
| 2 | Too high | 30.1% | 40 | |
| 3 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 24.1% | 32 | |
| 4 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 24.1% | 32 | |
| 5 | Has excessive wear or free play | 21.8% | 29 | |
| 6 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 18% | 24 | |
| 7 | Excessively loose | 17.3% | 23 | |
| 8 | Has a serious fluid leak | 12.8% | 17 | |
| 9 | Insecure | 12.8% | 17 | |
| 10 | Remains on when the brakes are released | 12.8% | 17 |
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 | 8.6% | 89 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 7% | 72 | |
| 3 | Worn to excess | 5.7% | 59 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.6% | 58 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4.7% | 49 | |
| 6 | Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied | 4.3% | 44 | |
| 7 | Has excessive wear or free play | 3.3% | 34 | |
| 8 | Sprocket worn to excess | 2.7% | 28 | |
| 9 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2% | 21 | |
| 10 | Excessively tight | 1.7% | 18 |
Yamaha MT 125 (MTN 125-A) for sale
No Yamaha MT 125 (MTN 125-A) in stock at the moment - 84 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