MZ 125SM

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4990 of 5426 overall #20 of 20 MZs #513 of 734 commuter bikes

65.5%

first-time pass rate

24.3%

failed outright

17,087

median miles at test

692

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2015

The 125SM's first-time pass rate has fallen 19.7 points since 2006, 75.6% to 55.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 125SM's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage 125SM passes first time 63.9% of the time; by 40k that's 73.0%.

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 125SM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	155	32.1	3.3×
brakes	111	23	2.5×
steering and suspension	56	11.6	2.2×
drive system	47	9.7	6.6×
tyres and wheels	45	9.3	2.7×
lamps and reflectors	37	7.7	1.7×
structure and attachments	12	2.5	1.7×
reg plates and vin	7	1.4	1.3×
steering	7	1.4	1.7×
suspension	6	1.2	0.8×

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 125SM beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

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 125SM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (67.9% pass). Weakest: 2002 (60.6%).

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.

MZ 125SM FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MZ 125SM reliable?

The MZ 125SM is less reliable than average for its class: 65.5% of its 692 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4990 of 5426 models.

What does a 125SM fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed 125SM tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (67.9%) and 2002 worst (60.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 125SM last?

The median 125SM shows 17,087 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 73.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.