The picture
125: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 5,304 MOT tests, the 125 returns 81.6% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A seriously damaged tyre and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 76,065, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
177 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
137 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
124 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
85 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
84 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 06
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
78 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
73 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 08
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
54 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 09
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
54 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade defective
49 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£120–£190
If every one of this 125's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a 125?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 125 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.