Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 KTM 125?

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 2016 KTM 125?

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 2016 KTM 125?

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.

How many 2016 KTM 125 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 KTM 125 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 458 vehicles, the 2016 KTM 125 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 KTM 125?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 KTM 125 are: Exhaust noisy (34.8% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (30.6% of vehicles), Rear reflector missing (29.8% 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 2016 KTM 125?

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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KTM 125 (2016)

458 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.5% first-time pass rate

2016 KTM 125

CarHunch analysed 458 real MOT records for the 2016 KTM 125. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 458 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2016 KTM 125 passes its first MOT at 81.5%, just slightly above the UK average of 80%, which is respectable but nothing exceptional—and the 26.2% of vehicles that have recorded a dangerous defect is a genuine concern that pushes this into "proceed with caution" territory for buyers. Petrol bikes in this class are fairly predictable, so the main takeaway is that nearly a quarter have serious safety issues at some point, which warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

With a median mileage of just 9,052 miles for an eight-year-old bike, these machines are relatively lightly used, yet they still average 1.12 failures per test, suggesting the failures aren't simply wear-and-tear from heavy riding. Budget for an average of 4.5 advisories per MOT—mostly minor—but given the high dangerous-defect rate, have any prospective purchase independently checked by a qualified mechanic before committing.

The 2016 KTM 125 has a decent first-time pass rate (81.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

81.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.12

Over 5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

Middle half: 5k–14k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 458 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 458 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 34.8%

Exhaust noisy

Tyre wear 30.6%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

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

Lighting 29.8%

Rear reflector missing · Drive chain slightly loose · Rear Rear reflector missing · …

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

Brake wear 22.9%

Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake binding but not excessively · Rear Brake binding but not excessively · …

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

Other issues 19.2%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Drive chain excessively loose

Suspension & steering 7.6%

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 458 KTM 125 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 KTM 125

Based on MOT data from 458 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.2% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,402 KTM 125 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Orange 62.5%

1,502

White 29.7%

713

Grey 3.7%

Black 3.1%

Multi-colour 0.7%

Blue 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 KTM 125 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

9,052

typical

4,848

low mileage

13,740

high mileage

Half of all 2016 KTM 125 vehicles fall between 4,848 and 13,740 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,848 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 4,848–13,740 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 KTM 125s sit.

⚠ Over 18,549 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 KTM 125 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 69% of 2016 KTM 125s are still active.

197 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.12

Avg failures per vehicle

4.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — KTM 125: All 125 years → Which year to buy? →

2012 2013 2014 2015

Or browse all models: KTM →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 KTM 125 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing