Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
APRILIA SCARABEO 125
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The SCARABEO 125's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.2 points since 2006, 70.8% to 67.6%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SCARABEO 125 passes first time 79.1% of the time; by 40k that's 65.6%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a SCARABEO 125
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
70 | 25.1 | 2.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
69 | 24.7 | 2.9× |
| brakes |
|
68 | 24.4 | 1.8× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
40 | 14.3 | 3.0× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
7 | 2.5 | 1.6× |
| body and structure |
|
6 | 2.2 | 1.8× |
| suspension |
|
6 | 2.2 | 1.1× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 2.2 | 1.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 1.4 | 0.4× |
| driving controls |
|
3 | 1.1 | 2.2× |
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
On first-time pass rate the SCARABEO 125 beats 3 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 SCARABEO 125.
Compare with any bike
More APRILIA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2001 (82.9%). Lowest: 1999 (68.5%). Every Scarabeo 125 year compared →
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.
APRILIA SCARABEO 125 FAQ
Is the APRILIA SCARABEO 125 reliable?
The APRILIA SCARABEO 125 is about average for its class: 73.1% of its 592 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4490 of 5428 models.
What does a SCARABEO 125 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 25% of all defects recorded against failed SCARABEO 125 tests.
What is the best year of SCARABEO 125 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2001-registered examples do best (82.9%) and 1999 worst (68.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SCARABEO 125 last?
The median SCARABEO 125 shows 18,571 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 65.6% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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