BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ BETTER/BT 125-5
Model report · 2005–2025

BETTER BT 125-5

125cc Petrol Class 1
64.3%
first-time pass rate
26.5%
failed outright
5,369
median miles at test
185
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-11.0pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

What fails on a BT 125-5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
58 31.2
steering and suspension
55 29.6
brakes
25 13.4
drive system
18 9.7
tyres and wheels
14 7.5
fuel and exhaust
6 3.2
body and structure
4 2.2
wheels
2 1.1
lamps and reflectors
2 1.1
Items Not Tested
2 1.1

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the BT 125-5 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests Compare head-to-head →

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the BT 125-5.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the BT 125-5

More BETTER models

other BETTER bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
BETTER BT 125-20 55.3% pass · 976 tests

See all BETTER models →

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2006 (62.7% pass). Weakest: 2006 (62.7%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

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