Yamaha Sr125 (2003)
2003 Yamaha Sr125
CarHunch analysed 170 real MOT records for the 2003 Yamaha Sr125. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Yamaha SR125 passes its MOT just above the UK average at 82.2%, but one in five of these bikes have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a legitimate concern for safety-conscious buyers. Petrol versus diesel isn't relevant here, so focus instead on the fact that this narrow margin of reliability above the average masks genuine risk.
These 20-year-old bikes are running relatively light at 15,537 miles on average, yet they're still accumulating nearly 2.2 failures per test and almost 6 advisories each, suggesting wear-related issues are catching up despite modest mileage. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a mechanic familiar with small motorcycles, paying particular attention to braking and suspension components where those dangerous defects tend to cluster.
What to check before buying a 2003 Yamaha Sr125
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.
- ⚠️ 21.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Yamaha Sr125
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Yamaha Sr125 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.
Half of all 2003 Yamaha Sr125 vehicles fall between 8,423 and 22,179 miles.
2003 Yamaha Sr125 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 26 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Yamaha Sr125
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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44%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32.9%
Drive chain slightly loose
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25.3%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
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18.6%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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17.4%
Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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17.1%
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
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16.3%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Yamaha Sr125?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.