Suzuki RV vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Suzuki RV passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 86.8% vs 71.0%, a 15.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki RV	Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate	86.8%	71.0%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+11.1 pts	-1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#1962 of 5428	#4664 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,417	10,652
MOT tests analysed	4,900	124,897
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	Suzuki RV	Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling	2.7%	8.5%
Steering & suspension	2.1%	6.5%
Brakes	1.5%	5.9%
Structure & body	1.9%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	4.4%
Drive system	0.2%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Suzuki RV	Yamaha YBR 125
2018	83.3%	72.0%
2019	87.6%	71.8%
2020	89.4%	73.4%
2021	85.5%	71.6%
2022	88.5%	71.3%
2023	86.3%	71.1%
2024	86.9%	70.9%
2025	88.2%	71.2%

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	Suzuki RV	Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles	89.4%	76.8%
10k-20k miles	81.7%	67.4%
20k-30k miles	82.4%	63.8%
30k-40k miles	74.2%	62.2%
40k-50k miles	79.2%	63.4%

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

Suzuki RV vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki RV or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Suzuki RV passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha YBR 125: 86.8% vs 71.0%, a 15.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki RV still comes out ahead: +11.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki RV, -1.1 for the Yamaha YBR 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki RV fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.7% of Suzuki RV MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.1%).

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 Suzuki RV or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 40k-50k miles the Suzuki RV passes first time more often: 79.2% for the Suzuki RV vs 63.4% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

SUZUKI RV 86.8% pass · 4,900 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.