Yamaha Yzf R125 (2021)

182 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.6% first-time pass rate

2021 Yamaha Yzf R125

CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 2021 Yamaha Yzf R125. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2021 YAMAHA YZF R125 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 65.6%, notably below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these young bikes are arriving at test with more issues than typical. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 6.6%, so safety concerns aren't the primary driver of failures.

With a median mileage of just 9,356 miles for bikes now three years old, these machines are being ridden lightly, yet still picking up an average of 0.33 failures and 1.3 advisories per test—indicating some owners may be neglecting routine maintenance despite low usage. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on chain and sprocket condition, battery health, and any signs of corrosion from storage, as these are common culprits on underused sports bikes.

Below average reliability 14.4% below UK average
65.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
9,356
typical mileage
5,207–13,850 middle half
6.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.33
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 Yamaha Yzf R125

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 Yamaha Yzf R125

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

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 181 65.4% 0.33
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Yamaha Yzf R125 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.

5,207
low mileage
9,356
typical
13,850
high mileage

Half of all 2021 Yamaha Yzf R125 vehicles fall between 5,207 and 13,850 miles.

2021 Yamaha Yzf R125 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 111 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

11 111 2023 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

1.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.33
Avg failures per vehicle
1.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Yamaha Yzf R125?

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

UK

Other model years — Yamaha Yzf R125:

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2019 2020