SYM VS 125

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4077 of 5426 overall #32 of 78 SYMs #245 of 412 scooter bikes

76.9%

first-time pass rate

16.0%

failed outright

13,983

median miles at test

1,228

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2021

The VS 125's first-time pass rate has risen 7.8 points since 2010, 71.7% to 79.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VS 125 passes first time 83.0% of the time; by 40k that's 74.5%.

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 VS 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
tyres and wheels	93	26	3.4×
brakes	88	24.6	1.3×
lighting and signalling	60	16.8	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	25	7	0.7×
steering and suspension	24	6.7	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	23	6.4	2.4×
tyres	20	5.6	2.3×
structure and attachments	13	3.6	1.2×
suspension	7	2	0.7×
body and structure	5	1.4	0.3×

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 VS 125 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO VESPA, HONDA PCX 125, HONDA Vision 110).

PIAGGIO VESPA 80.7% pass · 287k tests HONDA PCX 125 81.1% pass · 88.6k tests HONDA Vision 110 78.2% pass · 50.6k tests YAMAHA NMAX 125 82.2% pass · 33.8k 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 VS 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (82.2% pass). Weakest: 2009 (71.3%).

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.

SYM VS 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SYM VS 125 reliable?

The SYM VS 125 is more reliable than average for its class: 76.9% of its 1,228 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4077 of 5426 models.

What does a VS 125 fail its MOT on most?

tyres and wheels — 26% of all defects recorded against failed VS 125 tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (82.2%) and 2009 worst (71.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VS 125 last?

The median VS 125 shows 13,983 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 74.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.