2009 Yamaha YBR125 0.1L Petrol · YG59 OUV

The most recent MOT, conducted on 2 June 2023 at 44,261 miles, passed, but the record reveals a worsening mechanical trend that demands caution. While the 2022 test was completely clean, the 2023 failure and subsequent pass show a cluster of unresolved suspension and braking defects. Both front shock absorbers were flagged for oil misting and reduced damping effect in both the May failure and the June retest, indicating a progressive fault that was never rectified, merely tolerated. The front brake lever remained bent across both 2023 tests, and the front sprocket cover was loose on both occasions. These are not fresh failures; they represent a pattern of deferred maintenance where known faults were carried forward from one test cycle to the next. The mileage profile tells a story of very light use punctuated by a notable gap. Between the April 2022 test at 38,490 miles and the June 2023 test at 44,261 miles, the motorcycle covered 5,771 miles in just over twelve months, a sharp increase compared to the 9,039 miles accumulated in the preceding year from April 2021 to April 2022. However, the recorded mileage has remained frozen at 44,261 miles since June 2023, meaning the bike has covered zero miles in the three years leading up to today, 18 June 2026. A machine left standing for that long invites its own set of problems, from stale fuel and corroded brake calipers to perished rubber seals and tyre sidewall degradation, none of which the MOT history can capture. A buyer inspecting this YBR125 in person should focus on the front suspension as a primary concern. The repeated advisories on both shock absorbers for oil misting and reduced damping suggest the units have been operating below specification for at least three years. Check whether the misting has progressed to active weeping or if the damping has deteriorated further to the point of bottoming out. Examine the bent front brake lever closely; a lever bent in an impact may indicate a previous fall, and the caliper mounting and master cylinder should be inspected for alignment issues that could cause binding or uneven pad wear. The loose front sprocket cover, flagged twice, points to stripped threads or missing fixings, and the drive chain should be checked for correct tension and elongation given the advisory for slight looseness recorded in May 2023. Beyond the flagged items, the three-year stationary period raises questions the MOT cannot answer. Tyres with good tread can still be dangerous if the sidewalls show cracking from age. Brake discs may have corroded from standing, and the rear brake linings, which were below 1.0 mm in May 2023, may have seized or degraded further. Fuel system integrity, including the tank interior and carburettor jets, should be assessed for varnish or blockage from old unleaded petrol. This is a low-mileage machine that has been ridden gently but maintained poorly, and its current roadworthiness depends entirely on what has happened since it last turned a wheel.