Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

What are common problems with the 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12 are: Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly worn (100% of vehicles), Rear Drive chain worn but not considered excessive (100% of vehicles), Front Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive (100% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Kawasaki Ke125 A12 (1987)

189 real MOT outcomes analysed

1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12

CarHunch has 189 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12 doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other Kawasaki vehicles below.

Browse all Kawasaki models →

No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific Kawasaki Ke125 A12 you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The 1987 Kawasaki KE125-A12 does not appear in the DVLA's light-vehicle MOT database, so reliable pass rates and defect statistics are not available for this cohort. This motorcycle is a lightweight commuter bike from the 1980s, and many examples from that era may be registered as historic vehicles, off-road only, or no longer in regular MOT testing. If you're considering one, focus on mechanical inspection of the engine and chassis by a Kawasaki-savvy mechanic rather than relying on MOT history—these older bikes are straightforward to evaluate hands-on, and parts availability for the KE125 remains reasonable through specialist suppliers. Check the bike's service history and whether it has been properly stored; with low mileage examples averaging around 13,000 miles, condition and maintenance matter far more than age.

MOT statistics not available

We have 189 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

What tends to go wrong

Across 189 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 100%

Rear Rear suspension component slightly corroded.

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Lighting 100%

Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly worn · Rear All position lamps adversely affected by the operation of another lamp · Rear Direction indicators not working · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 100%

Rear Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Front Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive · Nearside Handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars.

Tyre wear 50%

Rear Tyre valve stem misaligned which could cause sudden tyre deflation · Rear Tyre is incorrectly seated on the wheel rim · Front Tyre is unsuitable

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 50%

Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%.

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987.

Before you buy a 1987 Kawasaki Ke125 A12

Based on MOT data from 189 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Other model years — Kawasaki Ke125 A12: All Ke125 A12 years → Which year to buy? →

1985 1986

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