BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ HONDA/C 125 A-K
Model report · 2005–2025

HONDA C 125 A-K

125cc Petrol Class 1
#26 of 5426 overall #6 of 921 HONDAs #2 of 734 commuter bikes
96.0%
first-time pass rate
2.9%
failed outright
2,647
median miles at test
1,666
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The C 125 A-K's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.9 points since 2021, 97.9% to 95.0%.

94%96%99%2021: 97.9% pass (48 tests)2022: 95.9% pass (296 tests)2023: 96.4% pass (472 tests)2024: 96.6% pass (408 tests)2025: 95.0% pass (442 tests)20212025

What fails on a C 125 A-K

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
tyres
30 44.1 2.4×
brakes
19 27.9 0.2×
lamps and reflectors
6 8.8 0.2×
suspension
5 7.4 0.4×
structure and attachments
4 5.9 0.4×
steering
2 2.9 0.3×
Identification of the vehicle
2 2.9 0.5×

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 C 125 A-K beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

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 C 125 A-K.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (97.2% pass). Weakest: 2021 (94.2%).

93%96%98%2018: 97.2% pass (248 tests)2019: 95.4% pass (916 tests)2020: 96.9% pass (450 tests)2021: 94.2% pass (52 tests)201820202021

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.

HONDA C 125 A-K FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA C 125 A-K reliable?

The HONDA C 125 A-K is more reliable than average for its class: 96.0% of its 1,666 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #26 of 5426 models.

What does a C 125 A-K fail its MOT on most?

tyres — 44% of all defects recorded against failed C 125 A-K tests.

What is the best year of C 125 A-K to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (97.2%) and 2021 worst (94.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.