Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A: 82.2% vs 63.2%, a 19.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	63.2%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	24.5%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-13.0 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5099 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,474	30,236
MOT tests analysed	658	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 Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	15.5%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	11.4%	5.0%
Brakes	6.8%	5.3%
Structure & body	7.8%	0.6%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	3.7%

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 Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A	Yamaha Nmax 125
2021	73.8%	84.9%
2022	72.5%	83.5%
2023	61.7%	81.5%
2024	59.6%	79.8%
2025	58.2%	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 Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	66.4%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	47.3%	84.2%

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

Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A: 82.2% vs 63.2%, a 19.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: -13.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 15.5% of Lexmoto Tempest 125 LJ 125-9A MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (11.4%).

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%).

LEXMOTO TEMPEST 125 LJ 125-9A 63.2% pass · 658 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.