Honda Z 125 Ma-K vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Honda Z 125 Ma-K passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 94.1% vs 71.0%, a 23.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda Z 125 Ma-K	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	94.1%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	1.8%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+14.6 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#153 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	1,701	10,652
MOT tests analysed	4,239	124,897
Most common failure	structure and attachments	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 Z 125 Ma-K	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	0.7%	8.5%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	6.5%
Brakes	0.1%	5.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.2%	4.4%
Structure & body	0.7%	3.8%
Drive system	0%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	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 Z 125 Ma-K	Yamaha YBR 125
2021	93.3%	71.6%
2022	93.1%	71.3%
2023	94.5%	71.1%
2024	94.2%	70.9%
2025	94.7%	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 Z 125 Ma-K	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	94.4%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	88.0%	67.4%

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

Honda Z 125 Ma-K vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda Z 125 Ma-K or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Honda Z 125 Ma-K passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 94.1% vs 71.0%, a 23.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda Z 125 Ma-K still comes out ahead: +14.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda Z 125 Ma-K, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda Z 125 Ma-K fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.7% of Honda Z 125 Ma-K MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (0.7%).

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%).

HONDA Z 125 MA-K 94.1% pass · 4,239 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.