BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ SYM Voyager/vs Honda PCX 125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

SYM Voyager vs Honda PCX 125

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Voyager: 81.1% vs 79.4%, a 1.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric SYM Voyager Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate 79.4% 81.1%
Outright fail rate 14.5% 12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.8 pts +8.2 pts
Engine size 125cc 125cc
Rank among all models #3705 of 5428 #3358 of 5428
Median miles at test 19,118 16,405
MOT tests analysed 1,064 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 Voyager Honda PCX 125
Brakes 7.2% 6.7%
Tyres & wheels 6.1% 5.3%
Lights & signalling 5.0% 3.9%
Steering & suspension 2.6% 4.4%
Fuel & exhaust 1.4% 0.0%
Structure & body 0.7% 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 test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year SYM Voyager Honda PCX 125
2014 82.9% 84.4%
2015 85.7% 83.5%
2016 72.8% 82.5%
2017 75.3% 80.5%
2018 74.4% 81.2%
2019 90.7% 79.9%
2020 80.6% 82.3%
2021 77.5% 80.3%

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 Voyager Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles 90.4% 88.4%
10k-20k miles 78.3% 79.3%
20k-30k miles 78.1% 78.0%
30k-40k miles 75.7% 77.0%
40k-50k miles 65.4% 74.8%
50k-60k miles 70.0% 75.8%

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

SYM Voyager vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Voyager: 81.1% vs 79.4%, a 1.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda PCX 125 still comes out ahead: +3.8 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Voyager, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Voyager fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 7.2% of SYM Voyager MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (6.1%).

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 Voyager or the Honda PCX 125?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda PCX 125 passes first time more often: 70.0% for the SYM Voyager vs 75.8% for the Honda PCX 125.

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