YAMAHA XSR 125 (MTM125)
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 XSR 125 (MTM125)'s first-time pass rate has held steady since 2024 (86.6% → 85.8%).
What fails on a XSR 125 (MTM125)
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
36 | 25.7 | 1.9× |
| structure and attachments |
|
35 | 25 | 3.9× |
| brakes |
|
31 | 22.1 | 0.5× |
| tyres |
|
15 | 10.7 | 2.0× |
| suspension |
|
13 | 9.3 | 1.5× |
| steering |
|
6 | 4.3 | 1.1× |
| wheels |
|
2 | 1.4 | 1.5× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 0.7 | 0.5× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
1 | 0.7 | 0.4× |
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 XSR 125 (MTM125) beats 1 of its 1 closest rivals (HONDA CB125F).
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 XSR 125 (MTM125).
Compare with any bike
More YAMAHA models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2021 (86.0% pass). Weakest: 2022 (85.7%).
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.
YAMAHA XSR 125 (MTM125) FAQ
Is the YAMAHA XSR 125 (MTM125) reliable?
The YAMAHA XSR 125 (MTM125) is more reliable than average for its class: 85.9% of its 1,095 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2232 of 5428 models.
What does a XSR 125 (MTM125) fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 26% of all defects recorded against failed XSR 125 (MTM125) tests.
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