Benelli Velvet vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Benelli Velvet passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 71.1% vs 71.0%, a 0.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Benelli Velvet	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	71.1%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	22.1%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.5 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4652 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,828	10,652
MOT tests analysed	1,049	124,897
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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	Benelli Velvet	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	12.1%	8.5%
Steering & suspension	13.1%	6.5%
Brakes	8.2%	5.9%
Tyres & wheels	5.7%	4.4%
Structure & body	1.3%	3.8%
Drive system	0%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	1.3%	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	Benelli Velvet	Yamaha YBR 125
2010	80.0%	71.4%
2011	72.0%	69.1%
2012	62.0%	69.1%
2013	65.6%	69.5%
2014	67.2%	70.0%
2015	80.0%	71.2%
2016	65.2%	71.3%
2017	70.0%	70.7%

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	Benelli Velvet	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	78.2%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	68.5%	67.4%
20k-30k miles	65.5%	63.8%
30k-40k miles	53.1%	62.2%

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

Benelli Velvet vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Benelli Velvet or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Benelli Velvet passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 71.1% vs 71.0%, a 0.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YBR 125 still comes out ahead: -3.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Benelli Velvet, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Benelli Velvet fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 13.1% of Benelli Velvet MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (12.1%).

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 Benelli Velvet or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha YBR 125 passes first time more often: 53.1% for the Benelli Velvet vs 62.2% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

BENELLI VELVET 71.1% pass · 1,049 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.