Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5?

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 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5?

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 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5?

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 Kh125 K5 (1989)

376 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.1% first-time pass rate

1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5

CarHunch analysed 376 real MOT records for the 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 78.9% below UK average

1.1%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

27,659

typical mileage

22,942–32,280 middle half

0.3%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.04

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Kawasaki Kh125 K5

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

22,942

low mileage

27,659

typical

32,280

high mileage

Half of all 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5 vehicles fall between 22,942 and 32,280 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.04

Avg failures per vehicle

0.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Kawasaki Kh125 K5

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

18.2%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
18.2%

Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
13.6%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
13.6%

Rear Drive chain slightly loose
13.6%

Front Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user
13.6%

Rear Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect
13.6%

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play
13.6%

Drive chain slightly loose

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Kawasaki Kh125 K5?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Kawasaki Kh125 K5:

1987 1988 1990 1991