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 VS 125's first-time pass rate has risen 7.8 points since 2010, 71.7% to 79.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
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
| Component group | Share of defects | 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
On first-time pass rate the VS 125 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO VESPA, HONDA PCX 125, HONDA Vision 110).
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.
Compare with any bike
More SYM models
Pass rate by registration year
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
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 #4078 of 5428 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.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live SYM VS 125 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.