BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ AJS/MODENA 125
Model report · 2005–2025

AJS MODENA 125

125cc Petrol Class 1
#4012 of 5426 overall #15 of 45 AJSs #169 of 734 commuter bikes
77.3%
first-time pass rate
14.5%
failed outright
2,242
median miles at test
2,124
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2020–2025

The MODENA 125's first-time pass rate has fallen 6.5 points since 2020, 84.5% to 78.0%.

73%80%87%2020: 84.5% pass (142 tests)2021: 78.4% pass (232 tests)2022: 76.1% pass (343 tests)2023: 77.0% pass (447 tests)2024: 75.3% pass (429 tests)2025: 78.0% pass (519 tests)20202025

What fails on a MODENA 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
337 47.1 5.9×
brakes
165 23.1 1.2×
tyres
66 9.2 4.0×
suspension
43 6 2.4×
steering
34 4.8 3.6×
audible warning (Horn)
28 3.9 7.2×
structure and attachments
28 3.9 1.8×
Identification of the vehicle
12 1.7 2.4×
wheels
2 0.3 1.6×

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 125 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 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2022 (82.6% pass). Weakest: 2021 (75.0%).

73%79%84%2017: 77.6% pass (536 tests)2018: 76.5% pass (554 tests)2019: 77.7% pass (399 tests)2020: 77.3% pass (321 tests)2021: 75.0% pass (188 tests)2022: 82.6% pass (109 tests)201720202022

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 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the AJS MODENA 125 reliable?

The AJS MODENA 125 is more reliable than average for its class: 77.3% of its 2,124 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4012 of 5426 models.

What does a MODENA 125 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 47% of all defects recorded against failed MODENA 125 tests.

What is the best year of MODENA 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2022-registered examples do best (82.6%) and 2021 worst (75.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.