BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Superbyke RMR 125/vs Yamaha YBR 125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Superbyke RMR 125 vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Superbyke RMR 125: 71.0% vs 53.0%, a 18.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Superbyke RMR 125 Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate 53.0% 71.0%
Outright fail rate 36.2% 17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -18.6 pts -1.1 pts
Engine size 125cc 124cc
Rank among all models #5360 of 5428 #4664 of 5428
Median miles at test 10,224 10,652
MOT tests analysed 1,633 124,897
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 Superbyke RMR 125 Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling 24.0% 8.5%
Steering & suspension 19.2% 6.5%
Brakes 16.5% 5.9%
Tyres & wheels 8.6% 4.4%
Drive system 8.3% 2.9%
Structure & body 6.2% 3.8%
Fuel & exhaust 2.9% 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 Superbyke RMR 125 Yamaha YBR 125
2015 50.3% 71.2%
2016 51.1% 71.3%
2017 47.4% 70.7%
2018 52.0% 72.0%
2019 56.6% 71.8%
2020 46.7% 73.4%
2021 61.5% 71.6%
2022 53.1% 71.3%

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 Superbyke RMR 125 Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles 55.8% 76.8%
10k-20k miles 50.1% 67.4%
20k-30k miles 53.5% 63.8%
30k-40k miles 39.5% 62.2%

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

Superbyke RMR 125 vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Superbyke RMR 125 or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Superbyke RMR 125: 71.0% vs 53.0%, a 18.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YBR 125 still comes out ahead: -18.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Superbyke RMR 125, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Superbyke RMR 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 24.0% of Superbyke RMR 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (19.2%).

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 Superbyke RMR 125 or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha YBR 125 passes first time more often: 39.5% for the Superbyke RMR 125 vs 62.2% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

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