Skyjet SJ 125-23 vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Skyjet SJ 125-23: 71.0% vs 44.7%, a 26.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Skyjet SJ 125-23	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	44.7%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	44.7%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-29.6 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5426 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,185	10,652
MOT tests analysed	2,324	124,897
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	Skyjet SJ 125-23	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	31.2%	8.5%
Steering & suspension	23.8%	6.5%
Brakes	18.0%	5.9%
Structure & body	11.7%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	10.8%	4.4%
Drive system	9.7%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	4.1%	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	Skyjet SJ 125-23	Yamaha YBR 125
2014	45.1%	70.0%
2015	47.2%	71.2%
2016	51.2%	71.3%
2017	47.2%	70.7%
2018	53.4%	72.0%
2019	59.0%	71.8%
2020	43.6%	73.4%
2021	48.5%	71.6%

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	Skyjet SJ 125-23	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	46.4%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	40.3%	67.4%
20k-30k miles	33.3%	63.8%

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

Skyjet SJ 125-23 vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Skyjet SJ 125-23 or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Skyjet SJ 125-23: 71.0% vs 44.7%, a 26.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YBR 125 still comes out ahead: -29.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Skyjet SJ 125-23, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Skyjet SJ 125-23 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 31.2% of Skyjet SJ 125-23 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (23.8%).

What does the Yamaha YBR 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.5% of Yamaha YBR 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Skyjet SJ 125-23 or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha YBR 125 passes first time more often: 33.3% for the Skyjet SJ 125-23 vs 63.8% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

SKYJET SJ 125-23 44.7% pass · 2,324 tests YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests

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