Sachs XTC Supersport vs Yamaha YZF-R125

The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Sachs XTC Supersport: 68.0% vs 58.4%, a 9.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Sachs XTC Supersport	Yamaha YZF-R125
First-time pass rate	58.4%	68.0%
Outright fail rate	32.5%	21.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-12.6 pts	-3.0 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5262 of 5428	#4853 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,209	13,002
MOT tests analysed	1,734	63,719
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	Sachs XTC Supersport	Yamaha YZF-R125
Lights & signalling	17.2%	11.4%
Brakes	13.2%	9.7%
Steering & suspension	15.6%	7.2%
Structure & body	7.4%	6.6%
Tyres & wheels	5.2%	4.6%
Drive system	7.1%	2.5%
Fuel & exhaust	1.8%	0.6%

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	Sachs XTC Supersport	Yamaha YZF-R125
2011	50.5%	70.2%
2012	52.6%	70.0%
2013	56.7%	68.1%
2014	61.9%	68.3%
2015	60.0%	67.0%
2016	58.0%	67.7%
2017	54.4%	67.0%
2018	59.4%	69.1%

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	Sachs XTC Supersport	Yamaha YZF-R125
0k-10k miles	66.6%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	53.3%	65.4%
20k-30k miles	51.7%	61.1%
30k-40k miles	58.3%	58.6%

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

Sachs XTC Supersport vs Yamaha YZF-R125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Sachs XTC Supersport or the Yamaha YZF-R125?

The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Sachs XTC Supersport: 68.0% vs 58.4%, a 9.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YZF-R125 still comes out ahead: -12.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Sachs XTC Supersport, -3.0 for the Yamaha YZF-R125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Sachs XTC Supersport fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 17.2% of Sachs XTC Supersport MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (15.6%).

What does the Yamaha YZF-R125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.4% of Yamaha YZF-R125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (9.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Sachs XTC Supersport or the Yamaha YZF-R125?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the Sachs XTC Supersport passes 58.3% first time and the Yamaha YZF-R125 58.6%.

SACHS XTC SUPERSPORT 58.4% pass · 1,734 tests YAMAHA YZF-R125 68.0% pass · 63.7k tests

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