SUZUKI 125

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4569 of 5426 overall #626 of 680 SUZUKIs #311 of 734 commuter bikes

72.1%

first-time pass rate

16.3%

failed outright

14,085

median miles at test

637

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2016

The 125's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.7 points since 2006, 80.0% to 76.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 125's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage 125 passes first time 80.5% of the time; by 30k that's 74.5%.

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 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	79	28.2	2.1×
brakes	73	26.1	1.7×
steering and suspension	41	14.6	1.6×
drive system	27	9.6	4.1×
lamps and reflectors	21	7.5	1.3×
structure and attachments	12	4.3	1.8×
tyres and wheels	8	2.9	0.6×
body and structure	8	2.9	2.6×
tyres	6	2.1	1.1×
steering	5	1.8	1.1×

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 125 beats 2 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 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (74.6% pass). Weakest: 2005 (68.2%).

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.

SUZUKI 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI 125 reliable?

The SUZUKI 125 is about average for its class: 72.1% of its 637 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4569 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed 125 tests.

What is the best year of 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (74.6%) and 2005 worst (68.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 125 last?

The median 125 shows 14,085 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 74.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.