BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 vs Honda PCX 125

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5: 81.1% vs 75.0%, a 6.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate 75.0% 81.1%
Outright fail rate 18.6% 12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.4 pts +8.2 pts
Engine size 125cc 125cc
Rank among all models #4300 of 5428 #3358 of 5428
Median miles at test 8,634 16,405
MOT tests analysed 553 88,608
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 SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 Honda PCX 125
Lights & signalling 10.8% 3.9%
Brakes 6.3% 6.7%
Tyres & wheels 7.4% 5.3%
Steering & suspension 4.7% 4.4%
Structure & body 1.1% 0.7%

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 mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles 80.3% 88.4%
10k-20k miles 65.9% 79.3%
20k-30k miles 70.0% 78.0%

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

SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 or the Honda PCX 125?

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5: 81.1% vs 75.0%, a 6.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda PCX 125 still comes out ahead: +1.4 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.8% of SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (7.4%).

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 Jet 14 125 Ac E5 or the Honda PCX 125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda PCX 125 passes first time more often: 70.0% for the SYM Jet 14 125 Ac E5 vs 78.0% for the Honda PCX 125.

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