SYM Symply vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Symply: 82.2% vs 73.4%, a 8.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Symply	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	73.4%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	18.3%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.7 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4461 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,684	30,236
MOT tests analysed	2,071	33,779
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 Symply	Yamaha Nmax 125
Brakes	7.8%	5.3%
Lights & signalling	7.5%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	4.6%	5.0%
Tyres & wheels	4.6%	3.7%
Structure & body	2.4%	0.6%
Fuel & exhaust	1.2%	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 Symply	Yamaha Nmax 125
2018	72.8%	86.3%
2019	75.4%	84.9%
2020	69.6%	88.4%
2021	76.6%	84.9%
2022	74.3%	83.5%
2023	78.4%	81.5%
2024	70.2%	79.8%
2025	76.2%	80.8%

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 Symply	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	78.8%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	69.3%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	67.8%	81.9%
30k-40k miles	69.1%	79.2%

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

SYM Symply vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Symply: 82.2% vs 73.4%, a 8.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: +1.7 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Symply, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Symply fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 7.8% of SYM Symply MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (7.5%).

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 Symply or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha Nmax 125 passes first time more often: 69.1% for the SYM Symply vs 79.2% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

SYM SYMPLY 73.4% pass · 2,071 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.