2010 Yamaha YZF-R125 0.1L Petrol · WN10 RZX

With a fully clean MOT history spanning the most recent tests on 13 January 2026 and 3 February 2025, this Yamaha YZF-R125 presents a straightforward mechanical picture from an official roadworthiness standpoint. The two latest passes on the most recent and penultimate attempts returned no advisories whatsoever, and the prior failure entries from 3 February 2025 and 29 October 2021 also recorded no defects, suggesting either administrative or retest circumstances rather than component-based failures. The absence of any recorded advisories across the documented tests means there is no official flagging of tyre wear, brake component condition, suspension deterioration, exhaust integrity, lighting defects, or structural corrosion to be concerned about on paper. For a sixteen-year-old motorcycle, this represents a tidy test record, although the lack of any advisories means prospective buyers will need to verify the condition of wear items independently rather than relying on a recent examiner's notes. At 27,916 miles over approximately sixteen years, the annual accumulation rate works out to a very modest 1,745 miles per year, which is low even by motorcycle standards and particularly conservative for a 125cc machine often used as a commuter or learner bike. The test gaps between 29 October 2021 and 3 February 2025, representing roughly three years and three months without an MOT entry, is a notable feature worth investigating. During that period, the vehicle may have either been off the road under SORN, used purely off-road, or simply not presented for testing. Combined with the low overall mileage, this suggests the bike has likely seen extended periods of inactivity rather than continuous use, which has mechanical implications for items such as the carburettor or fuel system, battery condition, tyre hardening, brake caliper binding due to corrosion, and potential moisture accumulation inside the exhaust or fork seals. Given the absence of any component-specific advisories in the MOT history, the inspection focus should shift to the typical wear items on a low-mileage R125 of this age. On a test ride, pay particular attention to the front fork action: any pitting on the stanchions, oil seepage from the seal heads, or an uneven damping feel between the two legs would indicate the seals have dried out from standing. The single front disc and caliper should be checked for binding by rolling the bike cold and feeling for residual drag, as seized caliper pistons are common after long lay-up periods. Brake feel should be firm and progressive, with no sponginess that would suggest old fluid or a master cylinder seal issue. The chain and sprockets, despite the low mileage, can corrode and develop tight spots if the bike has been stored, so listen for rhythmic clicking or jerking under power and inspect for rust pitting on the rear sprocket teeth. Additional checks should cover the small-capacity Del'Orto-style carburettor fitted to this model, which is prone to jet blockages after extended standing; a hesitant cold start, flat spot off idle, or stalling when the choke is pushed back in would all point to this. Inspect the fuel tank internally for surface rust if possible, as condensation over long storage periods can cause flakes to migrate into the carburettor float bowl. The tyres, being original-equipment-age items or replacements of unknown vintage, should be examined for sidewall cracking, hardening, and tread depth, with particular attention to the rear where most of the limited mileage will have been accumulated. Finally, confirm that the engine warms up smoothly without excessive smoke from the exhaust, listen for any timing chain rattle on the overrun, and check the swingarm pivot, rear shock linkage bearings, and steering head bearing for notchiness that would indicate age-related corrosion rather than active wear.