SYM XS 125

124cc Petrol Class 1

#5097 of 5426 overall #76 of 78 SYMs #362 of 412 scooter bikes

63.2%

first-time pass rate

24.7%

failed outright

9,334

median miles at test

1,515

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2023

The XS 125's first-time pass rate has risen 6.7 points since 2012, 60.0% to 66.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XS 125 passes first time 68.2% of the time; by 30k that's 50.0%.

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 XS 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	307	25.3	2.9×
steering and suspension	217	17.9	3.3×
brakes	176	14.5	1.7×
drive system	134	11	8.1×
lamps and reflectors	106	8.7	2.2×
structure and attachments	78	6.4	4.6×
body and structure	64	5.3	6.3×
tyres and wheels	53	4.4	1.7×
fuel and exhaust	40	3.3	2.9×
suspension	38	3.1	2.1×

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 XS 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 XS 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (68.0% pass). Weakest: 2010 (50.0%).

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 XS 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SYM XS 125 reliable?

The SYM XS 125 is less reliable than average for its class: 63.2% of its 1,515 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5097 of 5426 models.

What does a XS 125 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 25% of all defects recorded against failed XS 125 tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (68.0%) and 2010 worst (50.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XS 125 last?

The median XS 125 shows 9,334 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 50.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.