SYM Shark vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Shark: 82.2% vs 77.1%, a 5.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Shark	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	77.1%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	16.1%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+7.1 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4044 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	16,219	30,236
MOT tests analysed	3,624	33,779
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 Shark	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	7.8%	4.2%
Brakes	6.0%	5.3%
Steering & suspension	4.2%	5.0%
Tyres & wheels	5.5%	3.7%
Fuel & exhaust	2.3%	0%
Structure & body	0.8%	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	SYM Shark	Yamaha Nmax 125
2017	64.2%	81.1%
2018	73.3%	86.3%
2019	84.6%	84.9%
2021	77.5%	84.9%

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 Shark	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	85.0%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	77.4%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	73.5%	81.9%
30k-40k miles	68.6%	79.2%
40k-50k miles	68.0%	79.8%
50k-60k miles	61.1%	79.1%

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

SYM Shark vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Shark or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Shark: 82.2% vs 77.1%, a 5.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: +7.1 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Shark, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Shark fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.8% of SYM Shark MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.0%).

What does the Yamaha Nmax 125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.3% of Yamaha Nmax 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the SYM Shark or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha Nmax 125 passes first time more often: 61.1% for the SYM Shark vs 79.1% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

SYM SHARK 77.1% pass · 3,624 tests YAMAHA NMAX 125 82.2% pass · 33.8k tests

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