BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Lambretta Scooter/vs Yamaha Nmax 125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Lambretta Scooter vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Lambretta Scooter passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha Nmax 125: 86.8% vs 82.2%, a 4.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Lambretta Scooter Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate 86.8% 82.2%
Outright fail rate 6.5% 11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.2 pts +9.5 pts
Engine size 148cc 125cc
Rank among all models #1962 of 5428 #3145 of 5428
Median miles at test 3,292 30,236
MOT tests analysed 971 33,779
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 Lambretta Scooter Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling 3.3% 4.2%
Brakes 2.1% 5.3%
Steering & suspension 2.2% 5.0%
Tyres & wheels 1.0% 3.7%
Structure & body 0.1% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 0%

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 Lambretta Scooter Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles 86.0% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 85.2% 84.2%
20k-30k miles 89.0% 81.9%
30k-40k miles 92.4% 79.2%

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

Lambretta Scooter vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lambretta Scooter or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The Lambretta Scooter passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha Nmax 125: 86.8% vs 82.2%, a 4.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: +3.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Lambretta Scooter, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lambretta Scooter fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.3% of Lambretta Scooter MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.2%).

What does the Yamaha Nmax 125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.3% of Yamaha Nmax 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Lambretta Scooter or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Lambretta Scooter passes first time more often: 92.4% for the Lambretta Scooter vs 79.2% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.