Ajs Cadwell vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Ajs Cadwell passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 74.5% vs 71.0%, a 3.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Ajs Cadwell	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	74.5%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	16.3%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.7 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	123cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4355 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,088	10,652
MOT tests analysed	1,263	124,897
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Ajs Cadwell	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	10.1%	8.5%
Brakes	7.6%	5.9%
Steering & suspension	4.0%	6.5%
Structure & body	4.8%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	0.5%	4.4%
Drive system	0%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.6%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Ajs Cadwell	Yamaha YBR 125
2019	72.1%	71.8%
2020	81.6%	73.4%
2021	77.5%	71.6%
2022	73.5%	71.3%
2023	69.7%	71.1%
2024	76.8%	70.9%
2025	71.4%	71.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Ajs Cadwell	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	76.2%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	67.1%	67.4%
20k-30k miles	62.1%	63.8%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ajs Cadwell vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ajs Cadwell or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Ajs Cadwell passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 74.5% vs 71.0%, a 3.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.7 vs -1.1 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ajs Cadwell fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.1% of Ajs Cadwell MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.6%).

What does the Yamaha YBR 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.5% of Yamaha YBR 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ajs Cadwell or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha YBR 125 passes first time more often: 62.1% for the Ajs Cadwell vs 63.8% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

AJS CADWELL 74.5% pass · 1,263 tests YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.