LML Star vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The LML Star passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha Nmax 125: 83.5% vs 82.2%, a 1.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	LML Star	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	83.5%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	9.9%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.8 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#2853 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,326	30,236
MOT tests analysed	6,599	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	LML Star	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	6.0%	4.2%
Brakes	2.7%	5.3%
Steering & suspension	2.1%	5.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	3.7%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.6%
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	LML Star	Yamaha Nmax 125
2018	84.3%	86.3%
2019	81.3%	84.9%
2020	84.1%	88.4%
2021	84.8%	84.9%
2022	85.3%	83.5%
2023	82.7%	81.5%
2024	83.0%	79.8%
2025	87.3%	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	LML Star	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	83.6%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	80.6%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	89.1%	81.9%

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

LML Star vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the LML Star or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The LML Star passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha Nmax 125: 83.5% vs 82.2%, a 1.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: +5.8 points vs comparable bikes for the LML Star, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the LML Star fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.0% of LML Star MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.7%).

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 LML Star or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 20k-30k miles the LML Star passes first time more often: 89.1% for the LML Star vs 81.9% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

LML STAR 83.5% pass · 6,599 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.