KAWASAKI BN125A1

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4794 of 5426 overall #583 of 592 KAWASAKIs #409 of 734 commuter bikes

69.1%

first-time pass rate

18.5%

failed outright

12,930

median miles at test

988

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The BN125A1's first-time pass rate has fallen 12.5 points since 2006, 78.2% to 65.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the BN125A1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage BN125A1 passes first time 72.7% of the time; by 30k that's 64.5%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a BN125A1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	99	21.2	1.7×
brakes	98	20.9	1.6×
steering and suspension	73	15.6	1.9×
drive system	67	14.3	6.6×
tyres and wheels	48	10.3	1.9×
structure and attachments	23	4.9	1.8×
fuel and exhaust	21	4.5	2.4×
lamps and reflectors	18	3.8	0.7×
suspension	11	2.4	1.1×
reg plates and vin	10	2.1	1.6×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the BN125A1 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the BN125A1.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2000 (74.6% pass). Weakest: 1998 (68.8%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

KAWASAKI BN125A1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI BN125A1 reliable?

The KAWASAKI BN125A1 is less reliable than average for its class: 69.1% of its 988 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4794 of 5426 models.

What does a BN125A1 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 21% of all defects recorded against failed BN125A1 tests.

What is the best year of BN125A1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (74.6%) and 1998 worst (68.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a BN125A1 last?

The median BN125A1 shows 12,930 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 64.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.