BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ CZ/125
Model report · 2005–2025

CZ 125

123cc Petrol Class 1
#3787 of 5426 overall #3 of 3 CZs #126 of 734 commuter bikes
78.9%
first-time pass rate
16.2%
failed outright
8,490
median miles at test
724
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The 125's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.5 points since 2006, 81.9% to 77.4%.

60%78%95%2006: 81.9% pass (72 tests)2007: 78.6% pass (70 tests)2008: 80.0% pass (50 tests)2009: 77.5% pass (40 tests)2010: 65.8% pass (38 tests)2011: 75.7% pass (37 tests)2012: 78.9% pass (38 tests)2014: 71.8% pass (39 tests)2015: 72.7% pass (44 tests)2016: 89.2% pass (37 tests)2017: 77.4% pass (31 tests)20062017

Pass rate by mileage

how the 125's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage 125 passes first time 82.0% of the time; by 20k that's 78.1%.

71%77%84%0k: 82.0% pass (400 tests)10k: 72.9% pass (207 tests)20k: 78.1% pass (64 tests)0k10k20k

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
125 36.5 2.2×
steering and suspension
70 20.5 2.2×
brakes
54 15.8 1.2×
tyres and wheels
26 7.6 1.5×
drive system
19 5.6 2.3×
body and structure
11 3.2 2.6×
Items Not Tested
11 3.2 4.5×
reg plates and vin
10 2.9 2.2×
fuel and exhaust
9 2.6 1.6×
suspension
7 2 1.1×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

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

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

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 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1987 (84.3% pass). Weakest: 1989 (75.7%).

74%80%86%1987: 84.3% pass (51 tests)1989: 75.7% pass (74 tests)1990: 80.0% pass (60 tests)1991: 83.3% pass (90 tests)1992: 78.0% pass (50 tests)1993: 81.7% pass (60 tests)198719911993

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.

CZ 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the CZ 125 reliable?

The CZ 125 is more reliable than average for its class: 78.9% of its 724 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3787 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed 125 tests.

What is the best year of 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1987-registered examples do best (84.3%) and 1989 worst (75.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 125 last?

The median 125 shows 8,490 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 78.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.