Piaggio MP3 125 vs Honda PCX 125

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio MP3 125: 81.1% vs 76.1%, a 5.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Piaggio MP3 125	Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate	76.1%	81.1%
Outright fail rate	18.9%	12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.8 pts	+8.2 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4173 of 5428	#3358 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,558	16,405
MOT tests analysed	1,750	88,608
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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	Piaggio MP3 125	Honda PCX 125
Brakes	7.7%	6.7%
Steering & suspension	9.5%	4.4%
Tyres & wheels	6.4%	5.3%
Lights & signalling	6.5%	3.9%
Structure & body	1.1%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.0%

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	Piaggio MP3 125	Honda PCX 125
2016	80.7%	82.5%
2017	78.6%	80.5%
2018	79.5%	81.2%
2019	78.8%	79.9%
2020	79.2%	82.3%
2021	79.0%	80.3%
2022	69.8%	80.3%
2023	76.5%	80.2%

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	Piaggio MP3 125	Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles	83.1%	88.4%
10k-20k miles	76.9%	79.3%
20k-30k miles	69.6%	78.0%
30k-40k miles	68.6%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	78.9%	74.8%

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

Piaggio MP3 125 vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Piaggio MP3 125 or the Honda PCX 125?

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio MP3 125: 81.1% vs 76.1%, a 5.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda PCX 125 still comes out ahead: +5.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Piaggio MP3 125, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Piaggio MP3 125 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 9.5% of Piaggio MP3 125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.7%).

What does the Honda PCX 125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 6.7% of Honda PCX 125 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (5.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Piaggio MP3 125 or the Honda PCX 125?

At 40k-50k miles the Piaggio MP3 125 passes first time more often: 78.9% for the Piaggio MP3 125 vs 74.8% for the Honda PCX 125.

PIAGGIO MP3 125 76.1% pass · 1,750 tests HONDA PCX 125 81.1% pass · 88.6k tests

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