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Yamaha Xq 125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xq 125 car check

Is the Yamaha Xq 125 reliable? We analysed 515 real MOT tests across 138 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 515 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
73.0%
Typical Mileage
9,331mi
Annual Mileage
1,290mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Yamaha Xq 125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xq 125.

Specifications

Yamaha Xq 125 — specs & performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

A snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Yamaha Xq 125 — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

124cc
Engine
12bhp
Power

Engine & Performance

Engine size
124cc
Power
12 BHP
Fuel type
Petrol

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Motorcycle
Common colour
Black
Wheel plan
2 Wheel

Fuel Economy

Fuel-economy data not held for this model.

Tax & Emissions

Emission class
Not Available
Road tax (12 mo.)
£20
Road tax (6 mo.)
£N/A
Sources: DVLA vehicle register. Specifications reflect a representative Yamaha Xq 125 record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

Yamaha Xq 125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xq 125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha Xq 125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha Xq 125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

74.2%
2003
71.4%
2002
72.6%
2001

Yamaha Xq 125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Xq 125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 33
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 31
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 28
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 15
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 15
wheel bearings have excessive free play 11
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released 8
reflector on motorcycle obscured 7
Brake disc(s) excessively worn 7

Yamaha Xq 125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xq 125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
388 mi/yr
Typical
1,290 mi/yr
Average
2,428 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,708 mi/yr

Yamaha Xq 125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xq 125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 97 74.2% 3,989 8,907 14,858
2002 147 71.4% 4,553 8,294 12,926
2001 223 72.6% 5,222 10,661 17,850

How Long Does a Yamaha Xq 125 Last?

Based on 138 Yamaha Xq 125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.0 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Yamaha Xq 125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xq 125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,331 mi
75th Percentile
14,858 mi
95th Percentile
33,356 mi
Max Recorded
180,942 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xq 125

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2003

74.2% MOT pass rate from 97 tests

Year to avoid
2002

71.4% MOT pass rate from 147 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xq 125 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.2% across 97 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Xq 125 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xq 125 THIS CAR 73.0% 515 9,331 mi 25 yrs
Yamaha Yzf R1 86.5% 175,313 16,232 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha FZS600 85% 157,659 22,466 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha XJR1300 88.8% 107,128 16,836 mi 27 yrs
Mercedes-benz A 180 Sport Executive MHEV A 91.7% 314 23,596 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xq 125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Yamaha Xq 125 you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xq 125?

The Yamaha Xq 125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.0% across 515 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Yamaha Xq 125 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (33 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (31), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (28). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Yamaha Xq 125 owner drives around 1,290 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Yamaha Xq 125 models stay on UK roads for around 25 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Yamaha Xq 125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xq 125 reliable?
Based on 515 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xq 125 has a 73.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xq 125?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xq 125 do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xq 125 does around 1,290 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xq 125 last?
Most Yamaha Xq 125 models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 138 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xq 125?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha Xq 125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xq 125 is 2003 with a 74.2% pass rate across 97 tests.