The picture
Yzf R125: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,341 MOT tests, the Yzf R125 returns 73.5% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is transmission belt, chain. Footrest missing or insecure and a non-functioning shock absorber round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 16,702, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
38 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 02
A footrest missing or insecure
38 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 03
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
37 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 04
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
35 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 05
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
30 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 06
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
23 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 07
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
21 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 08
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
20 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 09
Steering head bearings have excessive wear or play
20 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 10
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
20 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Yzf R125?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Yzf R125 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.