Yamaha YZF-R125 vs Honda CBR 125 R-4

The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR 125 R-4: 68.0% vs 65.1%, a 2.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha YZF-R125	Honda CBR 125 R-4
First-time pass rate	68.0%	65.1%
Outright fail rate	21.6%	25.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.0 pts	-5.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4853 of 5428	#5012 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,002	12,971
MOT tests analysed	63,719	6,736
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	Yamaha YZF-R125	Honda CBR 125 R-4
Lights & signalling	11.4%	11.7%
Brakes	9.7%	11.7%
Steering & suspension	7.2%	9.9%
Tyres & wheels	4.6%	7.4%
Structure & body	6.6%	3.6%
Drive system	2.5%	5.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	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	Yamaha YZF-R125	Honda CBR 125 R-4
2018	69.1%	53.3%
2019	66.6%	62.9%
2020	71.4%	57.5%
2021	68.9%	64.0%
2022	67.6%	58.0%
2023	68.0%	57.4%
2024	66.2%	61.5%
2025	67.0%	57.5%

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	Yamaha YZF-R125	Honda CBR 125 R-4
0k-10k miles	76.2%	76.1%
10k-20k miles	65.4%	60.7%
20k-30k miles	61.1%	56.7%
30k-40k miles	58.6%	53.0%
40k-50k miles	55.2%	49.5%

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

Yamaha YZF-R125 vs Honda CBR 125 R-4 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha YZF-R125 or the Honda CBR 125 R-4?

The Yamaha YZF-R125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR 125 R-4: 68.0% vs 65.1%, a 2.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha YZF-R125 still comes out ahead: -3.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha YZF-R125, -5.7 for the Honda CBR 125 R-4. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha YZF-R125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.4% of Yamaha YZF-R125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (9.7%).

What does the Honda CBR 125 R-4 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.7% of Honda CBR 125 R-4 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (11.7%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Yamaha YZF-R125 or the Honda CBR 125 R-4?

At 40k-50k miles the Yamaha YZF-R125 passes first time more often: 55.2% for the Yamaha YZF-R125 vs 49.5% for the Honda CBR 125 R-4.

YAMAHA YZF-R125 68.0% pass · 63.7k tests HONDA CBR 125 R-4 65.1% pass · 6,736 tests

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