SYM HD Orbit vs Honda PCX 125

The SYM HD Orbit passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda PCX 125: 82.2% vs 81.1%, a 1.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM HD Orbit	Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate	82.2%	81.1%
Outright fail rate	11.1%	12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+10.8 pts	+8.2 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#3145 of 5428	#3358 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,396	16,405
MOT tests analysed	667	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 HD Orbit	Honda PCX 125
Brakes	4.2%	6.7%
Tyres & wheels	3.4%	5.3%
Lights & signalling	4.2%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	2.1%	4.4%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.7%	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 HD Orbit	Honda PCX 125
2013	82.4%	85.2%
2014	76.8%	84.4%
2015	85.0%	83.5%
2016	81.1%	82.5%
2017	90.0%	80.5%
2018	63.6%	81.2%

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	SYM HD Orbit	Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles	84.2%	88.4%
10k-20k miles	83.1%	79.3%
20k-30k miles	78.9%	78.0%
30k-40k miles	78.6%	77.0%
40k-50k miles	73.3%	74.8%

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

SYM HD Orbit vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The SYM HD Orbit passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda PCX 125: 82.2% vs 81.1%, a 1.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM HD Orbit still comes out ahead: +10.8 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM HD Orbit, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM HD Orbit fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.2% of SYM HD Orbit MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (4.2%).

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 HD Orbit or the Honda PCX 125?

At 40k-50k miles the Honda PCX 125 passes first time more often: 73.3% for the SYM HD Orbit vs 74.8% for the Honda PCX 125.

SYM HD ORBIT 82.2% pass · 667 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.