SYM Fiddle vs Honda PCX 125

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Fiddle: 81.1% vs 76.6%, a 4.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Fiddle	Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate	76.6%	81.1%
Outright fail rate	15.8%	12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.4 pts	+8.2 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4109 of 5428	#3358 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,139	16,405
MOT tests analysed	3,826	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 Fiddle	Honda PCX 125
Brakes	6.8%	6.7%
Lights & signalling	7.3%	3.9%
Tyres & wheels	3.7%	5.3%
Steering & suspension	4.1%	4.4%
Structure & body	1.4%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	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 Fiddle	Honda PCX 125
2018	77.8%	81.2%
2019	78.6%	79.9%
2020	80.9%	82.3%
2021	80.5%	80.3%
2022	76.8%	80.3%
2023	77.8%	80.2%
2024	81.0%	80.9%
2025	78.1%	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 Fiddle	Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles	80.8%	88.4%
10k-20k miles	70.3%	79.3%
20k-30k miles	64.2%	78.0%
30k-40k miles	55.6%	77.0%

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

SYM Fiddle vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Fiddle or the Honda PCX 125?

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Fiddle: 81.1% vs 76.6%, a 4.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda PCX 125 still comes out ahead: +2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Fiddle, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Fiddle fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.3% of SYM Fiddle MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.8%).

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 Fiddle or the Honda PCX 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda PCX 125 passes first time more often: 55.6% for the SYM Fiddle vs 77.0% for the Honda PCX 125.

SYM FIDDLE 76.6% pass · 3,826 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.