Yamaha YZF-R125
Real ownership data from 19,582 UK YZF-R125 motorcycles — mileage, MOT pass rates and the faults that actually come up, taken from DVSA test records rather than opinion.
Most common YZF-R125 problems
Ranked by how often each fault appears in this model's MOT history.
| Fault | Severity | Share of faults |
|---|---|---|
| Chain and sprockets | major | 16.8% |
| Frame and structure | fail | 8.9% |
| Lights and indicators | major | 7.3% |
| Brake discs and pads | dangerous | 7.2% |
| Suspension | major | 5.1% |
| Electrical | user entered | 3.7% |
| Steering and head bearings | user entered | 3.5% |
| Fuel system | user entered | 2.6% |
Advisories (wear noted but not failed) are excluded above; the most common is chain and sprockets.
YZF-R125 mileage and reliability by year
Use this to judge whether a specific bike is high or low mileage for its age.
| YearYear | MedianMedian mileage | Mi/yrMiles/year | MOT passFirst-time pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 437 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 537 | 2,781 mi | — | 100% |
| 2024 | 386 | 9,104 mi | 557 | 80% |
| 2023 | 457 | 8,930 mi | 3,233 | 73.33% |
| 2022 | 481 | 9,018 mi | 2,603 | 76.68% |
| 2021 | 273 | 11,269 mi | 3,008 | 76.11% |
| 2020 | 395 | 12,286 mi | 2,428 | 78.88% |
| 2019 | 700 | 13,529 mi | 2,334 | 75.05% |
| 2018 | 874 | 12,830 mi | 2,098 | 74.29% |
| 2017 | 742 | 14,806 mi | 2,174 | 76.16% |
| 2016 | 1,239 | 15,377 mi | 2,042 | 71.51% |
| 2015 | 1,403 | 15,972 mi | 2,058 | 71.16% |
| 2014 | 1,700 | 16,774 mi | 1,966 | 69.73% |
| 2013 | 1,572 | 17,898 mi | 2,014 | 66.83% |
| 2012 | 1,480 | 17,216 mi | 1,900 | 67.08% |
| 2011 | 1,364 | 17,700 mi | 1,897 | 66.54% |
| 2010 | 1,828 | 17,945 mi | 1,900 | 66.64% |
| 2009 | 1,974 | 18,157 mi | 1,865 | 66.17% |
| 2008 | 1,733 | 17,668 mi | 1,798 | 66.16% |
YZF-R125 questions, answered with data
What are the most common problems with the Yamaha YZF-R125?
Across 19,582 UK examples, the most frequently recorded MOT faults are chain and sprockets (16.8% of all recorded faults), frame and structure (8.9% of all recorded faults), lights and indicators (7.3% of all recorded faults).
What is average mileage for a Yamaha YZF-R125?
The median Yamaha YZF-R125 in the UK has covered 16,272 miles, and typically rides about 1,978 miles a year. Half of all examples fall between 9,551 and 24,487 miles.
Is the Yamaha YZF-R125 reliable?
68.53% of Yamaha YZF-R125 MOT tests are passed first time, with an average of 0.01 faults recorded per test. This is measured from DVSA MOT records, not owner opinion.
Based on DVSA MOT test records for 19,582 Yamaha YZF-R125 motorcycles registered in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.