Honda CBR 125 R-5 vs Yamaha YZF-R125

The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR 125 R-5: 68.0% vs 66.5%, a 1.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CBR 125 R-5	Yamaha YZF-R125
First-time pass rate	66.5%	68.0%
Outright fail rate	24.3%	21.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-4.3 pts	-3.0 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4940 of 5428	#4853 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,007	13,002
MOT tests analysed	2,420	63,719
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Honda CBR 125 R-5	Yamaha YZF-R125
Lights & signalling	12.3%	11.4%
Brakes	10.8%	9.7%
Steering & suspension	9.5%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	6.6%	4.6%
Structure & body	3.3%	6.6%
Drive system	6.1%	2.5%
Fuel & exhaust	2.1%	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	Honda CBR 125 R-5	Yamaha YZF-R125
2017	63.8%	67.0%
2018	65.1%	69.1%
2019	64.7%	66.6%
2020	64.2%	71.4%
2021	61.5%	68.9%
2022	67.2%	67.6%
2023	71.9%	68.0%
2024	72.7%	66.2%

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	Honda CBR 125 R-5	Yamaha YZF-R125
0k-10k miles	74.0%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	64.2%	65.4%
20k-30k miles	58.2%	61.1%
30k-40k miles	58.7%	58.6%
40k-50k miles	68.9%	55.2%

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

Honda CBR 125 R-5 vs Yamaha YZF-R125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR 125 R-5 or the Yamaha YZF-R125?

The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR 125 R-5: 68.0% vs 66.5%, a 1.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YZF-R125 still comes out ahead: -4.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR 125 R-5, -3.0 for the Yamaha YZF-R125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CBR 125 R-5 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Honda CBR 125 R-5 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (10.8%).

What does the Yamaha YZF-R125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.4% of Yamaha YZF-R125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (9.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CBR 125 R-5 or the Yamaha YZF-R125?

At 40k-50k miles the Honda CBR 125 R-5 passes first time more often: 68.9% for the Honda CBR 125 R-5 vs 55.2% for the Yamaha YZF-R125.

HONDA CBR 125 R-5 66.5% pass · 2,420 tests YAMAHA YZF-R125 68.0% pass · 63.7k tests

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