SYM XS 125 K vs Honda PCX 125

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM XS 125 K: 81.1% vs 62.7%, a 18.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM XS 125 K	Honda PCX 125
First-time pass rate	62.7%	81.1%
Outright fail rate	24.7%	12.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.7 pts	+8.2 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5123 of 5428	#3358 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,636	16,405
MOT tests analysed	1,728	88,608
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 XS 125 K	Honda PCX 125
Lights & signalling	14.8%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	12.0%	4.4%
Brakes	8.6%	6.7%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	5.3%
Drive system	7.2%	0.0%
Structure & body	5.2%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	1.6%	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 XS 125 K	Honda PCX 125
2014	57.4%	84.4%
2015	58.2%	83.5%
2016	62.8%	82.5%
2017	76.4%	80.5%
2018	62.0%	81.2%
2019	65.5%	79.9%
2020	77.8%	82.3%
2021	57.5%	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 XS 125 K	Honda PCX 125
0k-10k miles	67.2%	88.4%
10k-20k miles	59.2%	79.3%
20k-30k miles	57.6%	78.0%
30k-40k miles	50.0%	77.0%

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

SYM XS 125 K vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM XS 125 K: 81.1% vs 62.7%, a 18.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda PCX 125 still comes out ahead: -9.7 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM XS 125 K, +8.2 for the Honda PCX 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM XS 125 K fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 14.8% of SYM XS 125 K MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (12.0%).

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 XS 125 K or the Honda PCX 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda PCX 125 passes first time more often: 50.0% for the SYM XS 125 K vs 77.0% for the Honda PCX 125.

SYM XS 125 K 62.7% pass · 1,728 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.