2012 GAS GAS TXT PRO Racing 300 0.3L Petrol · WK12 AKP

Front‑end damping and rear‑suspension integrity dominate the MOT record – the bike has repeatedly been flagged for light oil misting from both front shock absorbers and for movement in the rear suspension linkage and bushes. Those advisories appear on every test from 2017 through to the latest pass in November 2021, indicating a persistent, unresolved wear pattern rather than an isolated incident. The only outright failure was a rear tyre fitted the wrong way round in September 2020, and the most recent test still shows rear brake pads close to the minimum limit, but no new failures have emerged since that episode. Mileage has never been logged on the MOT certificates, so there is no quantitative basis to judge how heavily the machine has been used relative to its 2012 build date. The test history shows a gap of two years between the 2017 and 2020 examinations and no entries after 2021, which could imply periods of limited or off‑road activity, storage, or simply a lack of MOT compliance. Without mileage evidence, a prospective buyer should obtain a reliable odometer reading and corroborate it with service records or a vehicle history check to ensure the wear observed aligns with actual use. The recurring front‑shock oil mist points to deteriorating seals; on a test drive the rider should feel for reduced damping, listen for a faint hiss or splashing noise, and inspect the shock bodies for any oil residue. Rear‑suspension linkage play typically manifests as clunking or a loose feel when traversing bumps; the bushes should be examined for excessive movement, cracks or corrosion, and any play in the rear wheel bearing should be checked by feeling for looseness or a humming tone at speed. With brake pads already reported as close to the minimum limit, the braking system may be nearing the end of its service life – the buyer should test for pedal travel, pedal fade under hard braking, and inspect the discs for deep scoring or glazing. Sidecar wheel bearings were noted as slightly rough and with some play in 2017, so a thorough spin of each sidecar wheel should reveal any grinding or looseness that could affect handling. The absence of fitted lights at several tests means the bike will not be road‑legal until proper lighting is installed and verified. Finally, given the tyre mis‑fit failure in 2020, a comprehensive tyre inspection is essential: confirm correct tyre direction, tread depth, and that all wheels are correctly mounted and balanced before committing to purchase. Budget for replacement of the front shocks, rear suspension bushings, brake pads and a full tyre set, as these are the components most likely to require attention to achieve a clean future MOT.