Lexmoto ZSB vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto ZSB: 82.2% vs 57.8%, a 24.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lexmoto ZSB	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	57.8%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	27.6%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-17.1 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5282 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,101	30,236
MOT tests analysed	1,380	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 ZSB	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	20.9%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	10.7%	5.0%
Brakes	8.2%	5.3%
Structure & body	11.4%	0.6%
Tyres & wheels	4.6%	3.7%
Drive system	0.2%	0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	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 ZSB	Yamaha Nmax 125
2018	50.0%	86.3%
2019	56.2%	84.9%
2020	58.4%	88.4%
2021	57.9%	84.9%
2022	58.5%	83.5%
2023	60.0%	81.5%
2024	60.3%	79.8%
2025	61.3%	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 ZSB	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	58.5%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	59.2%	84.2%

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

Lexmoto ZSB vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lexmoto ZSB or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto ZSB: 82.2% vs 57.8%, a 24.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: -17.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Lexmoto ZSB, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lexmoto ZSB fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 20.9% of Lexmoto ZSB MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (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 ZSB 57.8% pass · 1,380 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.