Classic and Classy Motorcycles Ltd

Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Importers

1970s Yamaha DT175 & DT175MX Valuation Report

Date: December 2025

Historical Overview

The Yamaha DT175 sits alongside the DT125 and DT250 as one of the key models of the 1970s trail bike boom. Early twin-shock DT175s offered genuine off-road ability with friendly road manners, while the later DT175MX (2K4/2A7-series monoshock models from the late 1970s and early 1980s) became the poster-bike for many UK riders. Light, lively and genuinely usable both on and off road, the DT175 has long been regarded as the “sweet spot” of the DT range.

Many DT175s and DT175MXs were ridden hard, used for green-laning, or converted to field bikes. Today, UK survivors range from rough, unregistered imports through to fully restored, matching-numbers show bikes. Recent UK auction results and dealer adverts show a clear premium for well-restored or very original DT175MX models, but tidy twin-shock DT175s have also strengthened strongly over the last few years.

UK Valuation Summary – Early DT175 (approx. mid-1970s twin-shock)

Condition	Estimated Value (GBP)	Data Source / Notes
Project / Non-Running Typically incomplete or long-stored bikes; may not run; often needing full cosmetic and mechanical restoration.	£1,500 – £2,400	Reflects rough DT175 field bikes and long-stored imports, generally complete but not yet recommissioned or UK registered. Asking prices for comparable 1970s Yamaha trail projects usually start around the mid-£1,000s, with better, more complete bikes approaching the mid-£2,000s.
Roadworthy / Presentable Rider Running, usable and UK-registered (or clearly registerable); tidy cosmetics but showing age-related wear.	£2,500 – £4,200	Supported by current adverts for mid-1970s DT175s and similar Yamaha enduros in good, usable condition, plus dealer listings where tidy twin-shock DT175s are offered around the £3,500–£4,400 mark. Most honest riders fall within this mid-range band, depending on originality and paperwork.
Very Tidy / Restored High-quality cosmetic refresh or restoration; straight frame, good paint, correct-style graphics and tidy running gear.	£4,200 – £5,800	Although auction data for fully restored early DT175s is limited, pricing for comparable 1970s Yamaha trail bikes indicates that well-restored or very sharp original twin-shock DT175s can realistically achieve mid-£4,000s to upper-£5,000s, particularly when matching numbers and good history are present.
Collector-Grade / Exceptional Highly original low-mileage UK bikes or top-level restorations with excellent provenance and correct period details.	£5,800 – £7,500+	The top band reflects the likely range for outstanding early DT175s: original paint, low mileage, matching numbers and strong documentation. Direct, recent hammer-price evidence is limited, so the upper end is an informed estimate based on the trajectory of similar-period Yamahas and current asking prices for the best small-capacity trail bikes.

UK Valuation Summary – Yamaha DT175MX (approx. 1978–1982 monoshock)

Condition	Estimated Value (GBP)	Data Source / Notes
Project / Non-Running Unregistered imports, barn finds or field bikes; often complete but not running and needing full recommissioning.	£1,800 – £2,800	Anchored by a 1978 DT175MX “barn find” US-import project that changed hands in the region of £1,600, with allowance for further market movement since, and by current UK project/enduro listings that place similar DT175MXs in the high-£1,000s to low- £2,000s depending on completeness and paperwork.
Roadworthy / Presentable Rider Running, UK-registered or straightforward to register; tidy cosmetics with normal wear, largely complete and original.	£2,800 – £4,200	Supported by a recently restored 1980 DT175 that sold at a UK auction for around £2,875, and by private and dealer adverts where tidy, roadworthy DT175MXs are typically offered between roughly £3,000 and £4,000. Most honest riders sit within this band.
Very Tidy / Restored High-quality restoration or very sharp original; correct paint, good exhaust, straight wheels and strong mechanical condition.	£4,200 – £6,200	Recent UK adverts include fully restored DT175MXs described as “as new” at around £5,800, and other restored examples advertised near the £4,000 mark in previous years. A multiple-show-winning, matching-numbers DT175MX has also been offered by a specialist dealer (price undisclosed but consistent with mid- to upper-£5,000s expectations). These examples support a strong band for very tidy bikes.
Collector-Grade / Exceptional Show-quality or ultra-low-mileage DT175MX machines with original paint, matching numbers and comprehensive history.	£6,200 – £8,000+	The top band is informed by the best current offerings and by the way comparable small-capacity icons (such as FS1-E and high-spec DT models) have moved into the upper five-figure asking range for exceptional examples. Truly outstanding DT175MXs – restored to a very high standard or preserved, low-mileage original bikes – can realistically justify figures in excess of £6,000, with particularly special machines heading towards £8,000 or more.

Value Influencing Factors

Variant: DT175MX monoshock models are generally more sought-after than early twin-shock DT175s and usually command a premium in similar condition.
Originality: Matching engine and frame numbers, correct paint and decals, original exhausts, mudguards and indicators all help to push a bike into the higher value bands.
Registration and paperwork: A UK V5C in the current keeper’s name is a major plus. For imports, NOVA, dating certificates and customs paperwork are important to support registration and value.
Mileage and history: Genuine low-mileage machines with MOT history, invoices and ownership records are more attractive to collectors and justify stronger prices.
Restoration quality: Professionally finished paintwork, correct fasteners and good-quality mechanical work are key for “very tidy” and “collector-grade” bikes. Poor paint, incorrect graphics and cheap pattern parts will hold values back.

Conclusion

As of December 2025, Yamaha DT175 and DT175MX models occupy a strong position in the UK small-capacity trail bike market. Rough projects typically range from around £1,500 to £2,400 for early DT175s and £1,800 to £2,800 for DT175MXs, depending on completeness and paperwork. Most roadworthy, presentable riders fall between roughly £2,500 and £4,200.

Well-presented, restored or very sharp original bikes sit comfortably in the £4,200–£5,800 band for early DT175s and £4,200–£6,200 for DT175MXs, reflecting the cost of quality restoration and strong demand. The very best collector-grade machines – particularly monoshock DT175MXs with excellent originality, low mileage and full history – can realistically achieve £6,200–£8,000 or more in the current UK market, with individual results depending heavily on originality, provenance and presentation.

Sources & Methodology:
This valuation is based on recent UK auction hammer prices for Yamaha DT175 models, together with current and historic dealer and private listings for DT175 and DT175MX machines. Value bands are evidence-based estimates for December 2025 and may change as further auction results and high-profile sales occur.

All Valuations

Stay in the loop - Subscribe for Updates

One email notification a month when a new shipment arrives.