Honda XLR125R vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XLR125R: 71.0% vs 65.2%, a 5.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda XLR125R	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	65.2%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	22.4%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-6.7 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5008 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,047	10,652
MOT tests analysed	1,662	124,897
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 XLR125R	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	14.6%	8.5%
Brakes	9.6%	5.9%
Steering & suspension	8.5%	6.5%
Tyres & wheels	5.0%	4.4%
Drive system	4.6%	2.9%
Structure & body	2.4%	3.8%
Fuel & exhaust	2.0%	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	Honda XLR125R	Yamaha YBR 125
2017	51.6%	70.7%
2018	63.6%	72.0%
2019	70.5%	71.8%
2020	76.7%	73.4%
2021	69.0%	71.6%
2022	74.4%	71.3%
2023	69.0%	71.1%
2025	62.5%	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	Honda XLR125R	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	74.3%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	61.5%	67.4%
20k-30k miles	59.4%	63.8%
30k-40k miles	60.5%	62.2%

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

Honda XLR125R vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda XLR125R or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda XLR125R: 71.0% vs 65.2%, a 5.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YBR 125 still comes out ahead: -6.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda XLR125R, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda XLR125R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 14.6% of Honda XLR125R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (9.6%).

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 Honda XLR125R or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha YBR 125 passes first time more often: 60.5% for the Honda XLR125R vs 62.2% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

HONDA XLR125R 65.2% pass · 1,662 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.