Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen: 82.2% vs 61.3%, a 20.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	61.3%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	26.5%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-11.7 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5171 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,444	30,236
MOT tests analysed	1,821	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	Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	17.0%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	10.9%	5.0%
Brakes	8.8%	5.3%
Tyres & wheels	6.9%	3.7%
Structure & body	6.7%	0.6%
Drive system	5.3%	0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.8%	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 test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen	Yamaha Nmax 125
2018	70.3%	86.3%
2019	70.3%	84.9%
2020	64.3%	88.4%
2021	63.6%	84.9%
2022	66.3%	83.5%
2023	60.6%	81.5%
2024	60.5%	79.8%
2025	60.5%	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 HT 125-8 Vixen	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	63.0%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	59.4%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	54.3%	81.9%

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

Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen: 82.2% vs 61.3%, a 20.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: -11.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 17.0% of Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.9%).

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 HT 125-8 Vixen or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha Nmax 125 passes first time more often: 54.3% for the Lexmoto HT 125-8 Vixen vs 81.9% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

LEXMOTO HT 125-8 VIXEN 61.3% pass · 1,821 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.