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League table/ KAWASAKI/KLX 125 CAF
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KAWASAKI KLX 125 CAF

125cc Petrol Class 1
#5233 of 5428 overall #592 of 592 KAWASAKIs #29 of 29 off-road bikes
59.4%
first-time pass rate
27.1%
failed outright
8,270
median miles at test
705
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-12.9pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2024

The KLX 125 CAF's first-time pass rate has fallen 15.4 points since 2013, 60.6% to 45.2%.

40%56%73%2013: 60.6% pass (33 tests)2014: 59.1% pass (66 tests)2015: 60.9% pass (92 tests)2016: 61.2% pass (116 tests)2017: 61.7% pass (81 tests)2018: 67.4% pass (43 tests)2019: 58.1% pass (43 tests)2020: 62.5% pass (40 tests)2021: 54.0% pass (50 tests)2022: 53.1% pass (49 tests)2023: 61.8% pass (34 tests)2024: 45.2% pass (31 tests)20132024

What fails on a KLX 125 CAF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
117 20.9 2.6×
steering and suspension
88 15.7 2.9×
lighting and signalling
82 14.6 1.8×
lamps and reflectors
78 13.9 4.3×
suspension
54 9.6 8.1×
tyres and wheels
46 8.2 2.3×
drive system
43 7.7 6.5×
structure and attachments
27 4.8 3.5×
tyres
15 2.7 2.7×
wheels
10 1.8 21.3×

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.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the KLX 125 Caf

More KAWASAKI models

other KAWASAKI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests
KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests
KAWASAKI ZZR600 79.0% pass · 53.7k tests
KAWASAKI ER5 77.4% pass · 53.1k tests
KAWASAKI ZZ-R1100 80.8% pass · 39.7k tests
KAWASAKI ZX 89.4% pass · 34.6k tests

See all KAWASAKI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2013 (62.8%). Lowest: 2011 (56.3%). Every KLX 125 Caf year compared →

55%60%64%2010: 58.9% pass (175 tests)2011: 56.3% pass (167 tests)2012: 60.4% pass (240 tests)2013: 62.8% pass (121 tests)201020122013

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 KLX 125 CAF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI KLX 125 CAF reliable?

The KAWASAKI KLX 125 CAF is less reliable than average for its class: 59.4% of its 705 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5233 of 5428 models.

What does a KLX 125 CAF fail its MOT on most?

brakes: 21% of all defects recorded against failed KLX 125 CAF tests.

What is the best year of KLX 125 CAF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (62.8%) and 2011 worst (56.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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