Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda CBR125 vs Yamaha YZF-R125
The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR125: 68.0% vs 65.5%, a 2.5-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda CBR125 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 65.5% | 68.0% |
| Outright fail rate | 25.5% | 21.6% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -5.4 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Engine size | 125cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #4992 of 5428 | #4853 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 12,780 | 13,002 |
| MOT tests analysed | 3,077 | 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 CBR125 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| Brakes | 11.2% | 9.7% |
| Steering & suspension | 9.8% | 7.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 8.6% | 4.6% |
| Structure & body | 4.0% | 6.6% |
| Drive system | 5.4% | 2.5% |
| 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
| Test year | Honda CBR125 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 61.7% | 69.1% |
| 2019 | 61.3% | 66.6% |
| 2020 | 73.4% | 71.4% |
| 2021 | 51.4% | 68.9% |
| 2022 | 67.1% | 67.6% |
| 2023 | 69.4% | 68.0% |
| 2024 | 67.2% | 66.2% |
| 2025 | 57.9% | 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 CBR125 | Yamaha YZF-R125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 75.5% | 76.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 60.2% | 65.4% |
| 20k-30k miles | 60.4% | 61.1% |
| 30k-40k miles | 55.4% | 58.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 57.4% | 55.2% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda CBR125 vs Yamaha YZF-R125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda CBR125 or the Yamaha YZF-R125?
The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR125: 68.0% vs 65.5%, a 2.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YZF-R125 still comes out ahead: -5.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBR125, -3.0 for the Yamaha YZF-R125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda CBR125 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 12.0% of Honda CBR125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (11.2%).
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 CBR125 or the Yamaha YZF-R125?
At 40k-50k miles the Honda CBR125 passes first time more often: 57.4% for the Honda CBR125 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.