The picture
125: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 1,195 MOT tests, the 125 returns 73.7% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a missing rear reflector. A stop-lamp out and rate of flashing not between 60 round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 14,210, 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
Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear
45 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 02
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
31 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 03
Rate of flashing not between 60 and 120 times per minute
29 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 04
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
27 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 05
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
26 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 06
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
26 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 07
Audible warning not working
18 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 08
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
18 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 09
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
16 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 10
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
14 occurrences · 1.2% 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.
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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.