SYM XS 125 vs Yamaha Nmax 125

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM XS 125: 82.2% vs 63.2%, a 19.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM XS 125	Yamaha Nmax 125
First-time pass rate	63.2%	82.2%
Outright fail rate	24.7%	11.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.3 pts	+9.5 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5099 of 5428	#3145 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,334	30,236
MOT tests analysed	1,515	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	Yamaha Nmax 125
Lights & signalling	14.8%	4.2%
Steering & suspension	12.2%	5.0%
Brakes	7.1%	5.3%
Tyres & wheels	4.3%	3.7%
Structure & body	6.2%	0.6%
Drive system	5.9%	0%
Fuel & exhaust	2.2%	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 XS 125	Yamaha Nmax 125
2017	62.2%	81.1%
2018	63.4%	86.3%
2019	68.2%	84.9%
2020	65.3%	88.4%
2021	68.1%	84.9%
2022	66.7%	83.5%
2023	66.7%	81.5%

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	Yamaha Nmax 125
0k-10k miles	68.2%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	58.4%	84.2%
20k-30k miles	54.8%	81.9%
30k-40k miles	50.0%	79.2%

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

SYM XS 125 vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM XS 125: 82.2% vs 63.2%, a 19.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: -9.3 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM XS 125, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 14.8% of SYM XS 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (12.2%).

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 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 vs 79.2% for the Yamaha Nmax 125.

SYM XS 125 63.2% pass · 1,515 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.