KAWASAKI KDX125

124cc Petrol Class 1

#5151 of 5426 overall #590 of 592 KAWASAKIs #592 of 734 commuter bikes

61.9%

first-time pass rate

26.7%

failed outright

14,985

median miles at test

1,122

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2023

The KDX125's first-time pass rate has fallen 11.9 points since 2005, 71.9% to 60.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the KDX125's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage KDX125 passes first time 66.3% of the time; by 40k that's 63.3%.

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 KDX125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	404	34.1	3.8×
steering and suspension	226	19.1	4.1×
brakes	196	16.5	2.8×
tyres and wheels	97	8.2	3.5×
drive system	65	5.5	6.2×
lamps and reflectors	60	5.1	1.8×
fuel and exhaust	42	3.5	4.1×
suspension	33	2.8	2.3×
body and structure	33	2.8	4.6×
reg plates and vin	29	2.4	3.7×

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 KDX125 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 KDX125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1991 (64.3% pass). Weakest: 1990 (55.4%).

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 KDX125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KDX125 reliable?

The KAWASAKI KDX125 is less reliable than average for its class: 61.9% of its 1,122 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5151 of 5426 models.

What does a KDX125 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed KDX125 tests.

What is the best year of KDX125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1991-registered examples do best (64.3%) and 1990 worst (55.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a KDX125 last?

The median KDX125 shows 14,985 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 63.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.