Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18: 82.2% vs 77.1%, a 5.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	77.1%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	17.4%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.5 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4044 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,522	30,236
MOT tests analysed	851	33,779
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	Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18	Yamaha Nmax 125
Steering & suspension	6.7%	5.0%
Brakes	5.9%	5.3%
Tyres & wheels	7.1%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	5.6%	4.2%
Structure & body	1.5%	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	Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18	Yamaha Nmax 125
2023	75.2%	81.5%
2024	79.9%	79.8%
2025	75.7%	80.8%

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	Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	78.4%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	73.8%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	77.4%	81.9%

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

Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18: 82.2% vs 77.1%, a 5.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: +3.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 7.1% of Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.7%).

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 Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha Nmax 125 passes first time more often: 77.4% for the Lexmoto Aura 125 LJ 125 T-18 vs 81.9% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

LEXMOTO AURA 125 LJ 125 T-18 77.1% pass · 851 tests YAMAHA NMAX 125 82.2% pass · 33.8k tests

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