Yamaha R125 (YZF 125-A) MOT pass rate and common failures
Yamaha R125 (YZF 125-A) motorcycles pass the MOT 76.88% of the time, measured across 372 tests in the DVSA record. A further 10.22% 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 too low - it accounts for 54.2% 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 (6.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 9,451 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 | 76.88% | 372 |
Why the Yamaha R125 (YZF 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 | Too low | 54.2% | 26 | |
| 2 | Missing | 41.7% | 20 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 22.9% | 11 | |
| 4 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 20.8% | 10 | |
| 5 | Has excessive wear or free play | 16.7% | 8 | |
| 6 | Excessively loose | 14.6% | 7 | |
| 7 | Insecure | 14.6% | 7 | |
| 8 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 14.6% | 7 | |
| 9 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 12.5% | 6 | |
| 10 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 12.5% | 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 | 6.5% | 24 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 5.6% | 21 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 5.1% | 19 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4.8% | 18 | |
| 5 | Has excessive wear or free play | 3.8% | 14 | |
| 6 | Worn to excess | 3.5% | 13 | |
| 7 | Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied | 3.2% | 12 | |
| 8 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2.7% | 10 | |
| 9 | Nail in tyre | 1.9% | 7 | |
| 10 | Significantly and obviously worn | 1.6% | 6 |
Yamaha R125 (YZF 125-A) for sale
No Yamaha R125 (YZF 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