Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda CBR 125 RW-7 vs Yamaha YZF-R125
The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR 125 RW-7: 68.0% vs 67.9%, a 0.1-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda CBR 125 RW-7 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 67.9% | 68.0% |
| Outright fail rate | 22.0% | 21.6% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -3.0 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Engine size | 125cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #4861 of 5428 | #4853 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 12,652 | 13,002 |
| MOT tests analysed | 3,803 | 63,719 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Honda CBR 125 RW-7 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 9.8% | 11.4% |
| Brakes | 8.0% | 9.7% |
| Steering & suspension | 8.3% | 7.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 7.2% | 4.6% |
| Structure & body | 3.2% | 6.6% |
| Drive system | 4.5% | 2.5% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 1.1% | 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
| Test year | Honda CBR 125 RW-7 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 59.4% | 69.1% |
| 2019 | 56.9% | 66.6% |
| 2020 | 78.3% | 71.4% |
| 2021 | 62.7% | 68.9% |
| 2022 | 65.0% | 67.6% |
| 2023 | 61.3% | 68.0% |
| 2024 | 57.8% | 66.2% |
| 2025 | 61.6% | 67.0% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda CBR 125 RW-7 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 77.2% | 76.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 64.1% | 65.4% |
| 20k-30k miles | 57.7% | 61.1% |
| 30k-40k miles | 61.8% | 58.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 60.3% | 55.2% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda CBR 125 RW-7 vs Yamaha YZF-R125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR 125 RW-7 or the Yamaha YZF-R125?
The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR 125 RW-7: 68.0% vs 67.9%, a 0.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-3.0 vs -3.0 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 Honda CBR 125 RW-7 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 9.8% of Honda CBR 125 RW-7 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.3%).
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 RW-7 or the Yamaha YZF-R125?
At 40k-50k miles the Honda CBR 125 RW-7 passes first time more often: 60.3% for the Honda CBR 125 RW-7 vs 55.2% for the Yamaha YZF-R125.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.