SYM XS 125 K vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM XS 125 K: 82.2% vs 62.7%, a 19.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM XS 125 K	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	62.7%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	24.7%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.7 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5123 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,636	30,236
MOT tests analysed	1,728	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 XS 125 K	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	14.8%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	12.0%	5.0%
Brakes	8.6%	5.3%
Drive system	7.2%	0%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	3.7%
Structure & body	5.2%	0.6%
Fuel & exhaust	1.6%	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	Yamaha Nmax 125
2017	76.4%	81.1%
2018	62.0%	86.3%
2019	65.5%	84.9%
2020	77.8%	88.4%
2021	57.5%	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 XS 125 K	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	67.2%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	59.2%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	57.6%	81.9%
30k-40k miles	50.0%	79.2%

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

SYM XS 125 K vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM XS 125 K: 82.2% vs 62.7%, a 19.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: -9.7 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM XS 125 K, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 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 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 XS 125 K or the Yamaha Nmax 125?

At 30k-40k miles the Yamaha Nmax 125 passes first time more often: 50.0% for the SYM XS 125 K vs 79.2% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

SYM XS 125 K 62.7% pass · 1,728 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.