SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 vs Honda PCX 125

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM AD12W Jet 4 125: 81.1% vs 72.9%, a 8.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM AD12W Jet 4 125	Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate	72.9%	81.1%
Outright fail rate	19.8%	12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.1 pts	+8.2 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4508 of 5428	#3358 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,309	16,405
MOT tests analysed	2,366	88,608
Most common failure	brakes	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	SYM AD12W Jet 4 125	Honda PCX 125
Brakes	8.1%	6.7%
Tyres & wheels	8.1%	5.3%
Lights & signalling	7.8%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	7.1%	4.4%
Structure & body	2.3%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	1.2%	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	SYM AD12W Jet 4 125	Honda PCX 125
2018	75.1%	81.2%
2019	69.2%	79.9%
2020	75.3%	82.3%
2021	75.2%	80.3%
2022	72.3%	80.3%
2023	74.5%	80.2%
2024	72.5%	80.9%
2025	80.4%	81.6%

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	SYM AD12W Jet 4 125	Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles	80.1%	88.4%
10k-20k miles	70.2%	79.3%
20k-30k miles	69.1%	78.0%
30k-40k miles	60.2%	77.0%

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

SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 or the Honda PCX 125?

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM AD12W Jet 4 125: 81.1% vs 72.9%, a 8.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda PCX 125 still comes out ahead: +2.1 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM AD12W Jet 4 125, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 8.1% of SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (8.1%).

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 SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 or the Honda PCX 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda PCX 125 passes first time more often: 60.2% for the SYM AD12W Jet 4 125 vs 77.0% for the Honda PCX 125.

SYM AD12W JET 4 125 72.9% pass · 2,366 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.