BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ AJS/modena
Model report · 2005–2025

AJS modena

125cc Petrol Class 1
#4311 of 5426 overall #17 of 45 AJSs #239 of 734 commuter bikes
74.9%
first-time pass rate
15.9%
failed outright
2,788
median miles at test
5,766
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The modena's first-time pass rate has risen 8.4 points since 2017, 68.6% to 77.0%.

66%73%80%2017: 68.6% pass (172 tests)2018: 71.6% pass (454 tests)2019: 70.7% pass (726 tests)2020: 76.1% pass (836 tests)2021: 77.8% pass (922 tests)2022: 77.7% pass (811 tests)2023: 74.6% pass (747 tests)2024: 72.7% pass (557 tests)2025: 77.0% pass (540 tests)20172025

What fails on a modena

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
928 41.8 6.3×
brakes
492 22.2 1.4×
tyres
275 12.4 5.3×
structure and attachments
115 5.2 2.5×
steering
112 5 4.3×
suspension
96 4.3 1.8×
audible warning (Horn)
95 4.3 9.0×
lighting and signalling
53 2.4 0.1×
Identification of the vehicle
32 1.4 2.4×
tyres and wheels
23 1 0.1×

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 modena beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

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 modena.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (79.8% pass). Weakest: 2014 (72.6%).

71%76%81%2014: 72.6% pass (1,093 tests)2015: 74.6% pass (1,826 tests)2016: 75.1% pass (2,047 tests)2017: 77.5% pass (619 tests)2018: 79.8% pass (173 tests)201420162018

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.

AJS modena FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the AJS modena reliable?

The AJS modena is about average for its class: 74.9% of its 5,766 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4311 of 5426 models.

What does a modena fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 42% of all defects recorded against failed modena tests.

What is the best year of modena to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (79.8%) and 2014 worst (72.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.