Yamaha NMAX 125
The sportier alternative to the PCX. Yamaha's NMAX 125 brings VVA (variable valve actuation), TCS (traction control standard from 2021), and slightly punchier acceleration — at the cost of less luggage space and a firmer ride. The 2021 facelift modernised the styling and added connectivity. If you want a 125 commuter with a bit more attitude, this is the pick.
- Engine
- 125 cc
- Power
- 12.2 PS
- Weight
- 131 kg
- Seat height
- 765 mm
- A2 licence
- —
Blue Core liquid-cooled SOHC single with VVA
wet
The short version
Forecourt score
Value 50 · Insurance 69 · Theft 65
The Yamaha NMAX 125 holds its value about as well as most bikes (around 30% lost over three years, against the 25-32% bike norm) and is cheap to insure (group 6). Theft risk is moderate.
A bike-specific blend of value retention, insurance and theft risk (weighted 40/35/25). Bikes carry no MOT reliability data, so reliability isn't scored. Higher is better.
Variant: NMAX 125
Engine
Petrol · 125cc
Power
12.2 ps
Torque
11.2 Nm
Weight
131 kg
Seat
765 mm
Transmission
CVT automatic
Economy
108 mpg
The volume NMAX 125. Blue Core 125 with VVA, CVT, belt drive. TCS + ABS standard. 131 kg wet, 765mm seat. Connected dash, smart key.
Tell us about the one you're looking at
Tidy and well looked-after for its age — the typical clean bike.
Estimated market value
£2,484
Range £2,236 – £2,732
HIGH CONFIDENCE
Holding value
Bikes hold value far better than cars — typical motorcycle 3-year depreciation is 25–32%, against cars' 40–50%. Some bikes (Hayabusa, Gold Wing, classic Z1000) actually appreciate in the 7–15 year zone as cult demand outstrips supply.
New
£3,799
At 5 years
£2,279
At 10 years
£1,516
Value loss by phase
Each band shows the share of original value lost during that window — not cumulative. Appreciation (green, marked +X% gained) is real for bikes that develop cult status.
UK new price by year
How we estimate this
Phase depreciation derived from observed UK used-bike pricing — classified ads, dealer asking prices, and end-of-auction figures. Bike residuals depend heavily on theft history, service-stamp count, and crash-damage signatures. The figures here are indicative for clean, fully-stamped examples.
What it costs to own
Indicative running costs at 8,000 miles a year — the UK rider average. Belt or shaft drive eliminates the chain/sprocket consumable; tax (typically £25–£100/yr) and depreciation are excluded — see the section above for value retention.
3-year total
£1,709
Per year
£570
Per mile
£0.07
Service costs assume independent specialist labour and OE parts. Tyre intervals reflect typical UK road riding — track-day usage burns through rear tyres in <2,000 miles. Fuel uses the variant MPG at £1.45/L. Lower-mileage riders see proportionally lower totals; higher-mileage commuters pay roughly linearly more.
Estimated insurance
Group 6 of 17 (mid — mainstream) · Comprehensive · 5 yr NCB
Indicative annual comprehensive premiums for this bike. Bike insurance is far more sensitive to licence tier and rider age than cars — pick the combination closest to your circumstances.
Licence
Age
No-claims bonus
5 yearsRisk profile
Estimated annual premium · typical, age 30-39
£300/ year
Roughly £25 per month
Typical
Suburban postcode, 3+ years NCB, standard security (Thatcham chain + disc lock), no recent claims.| Age band | Lower risk | Typical | Higher risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 17-21 | £495 | £660 | £924 |
| Age 22-29 | £304 | £405 | £567 |
| Age 30-39Selected | £225 | £300 | £420 |
| Age 40-49 | £198 | £264 | £370 |
| Age 50+ | £180 | £240 | £336 |
How we estimate this
Premiums combine licence tier, rider age, no-claims bonus and a risk-profile multiplier on top of a bike-specific baseline. Bike insurance is materially more sensitive to licence tier (CBT / A1 / A2 / A) than car insurance, and young riders pay considerably more than older riders even on the same machine. Always get individual quotes before buying.
Theft risk
Bike-specific · Met Police + insurance reporting
UK bike theft rates are an order of magnitude higher than car theft. Nakeds and supersports lose more to professional gangs; large adventure bikes and tourers are statistically much safer.
Theft risk score · 1 to 4
2/4Medium risk
Medium risk
Some theft pattern, particularly in urban postcodes. Thatcham-approved chain plus disc lock recommended; secure overnight parking helps premiums.Theft hotspot postcodes
Postcode prefixes only; full London hot zone runs across E, N, NW, SE, SW, W boroughs depending on the model.
What this means for you
London commuter scooter theft is real. Chain + disc lock recommended; garage overnight.
How we set this band
Bands derived from Met Police bike-theft reporting (most-stolen lists) cross-referenced with insurance industry underwriting data. Model + postcode are the two biggest factors in motorcycle theft risk in the UK, materially more than vehicle value.
What goes wrong
4 known issues · sorted by severity
Documented failure modes from UK owner forums, dealer service bulletins, and aggregated mechanic feedback. Mileages are approximate — different riders see different intervals depending on use and maintenance. Always address "high"-severity items before resale.
High severity
0
Medium
1
Low / cosmetic
3
| Severity | Part / issue | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| medium | CVT drive belt 15-18k mi | £200 |
| low | Front fork seals 20k+ mi | £100 |
| low | Battery every 2-3 years | £50-70 |
| low | Front brake caliper drag 15k+ mi | £80 |
How we score severity
High — strands the bike or causes consequential damage if left. Medium — service item that affects ride quality or risks failure. Low — cosmetic or minor inconvenience. Costs are independent-specialist UK rates for parts and labour together; main dealer prices typically run 30–50% higher.
Safety recalls
Manufacturers occasionally issue safety recalls to fix a fault free of charge. You can check whether the Yamaha NMAX 125, or your exact vehicle, has any outstanding recalls on the official DVSA service.
Check on GOV.UKOpens the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency recall checker. Choose the make, model and year of manufacture — no registration needed.
Variant comparison
The sportier 125 commuter. Cross-shop Honda PCX125 (more storage, slightly less power, slightly cheaper), Honda Forza 125 (more touring-capable, £1.5k more). NMAX wins on engine character and connectivity.
Known issues
- CVT belt at 15-18k mi (£200)
- Fork seals leak at 20k+ mi (£100)
- Battery every 2-3 years (£50-70)
- VVA system generally reliable, checked at service
- Otherwise solid — Yamaha 125 platform well-proven
Strengths
- +VVA engine — punchier than PCX, especially mid-range
- +TCS standard from 2021 — wet-weather confidence
- +Connected dash with Yamaha MyRide app
- +Sportier handling than PCX
- +Strong used market — sells quickly
Watch-outs
- −Less underseat storage than PCX
- −Firmer ride — not as comfortable on UK pothole roads
- −Battery life ~2-3 years (£50-70)
- −Fork seals can leak from 20k+ mi (£100)