Keeway K-Light 125 E5 vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway K-Light 125 E5: 71.0% vs 70.3%, a 0.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Keeway K-Light 125 E5	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	70.3%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	20.0%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.0 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4706 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,394	10,652
MOT tests analysed	515	124,897
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Keeway K-Light 125 E5	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	14.8%	8.5%
Steering & suspension	9.3%	6.5%
Brakes	5.8%	5.9%
Structure & body	7.0%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	4.4%
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 mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Keeway K-Light 125 E5	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	73.0%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	45.8%	67.4%

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

Keeway K-Light 125 E5 vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Keeway K-Light 125 E5 or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway K-Light 125 E5: 71.0% vs 70.3%, a 0.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YBR 125 still comes out ahead: -7.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Keeway K-Light 125 E5, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Keeway K-Light 125 E5 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 14.8% of Keeway K-Light 125 E5 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.3%).

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%).

KEEWAY K-LIGHT 125 E5 70.3% pass · 515 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.