Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA CBR 125 RS-6
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.
Pass rate over time
The CBR 125 RS-6's first-time pass rate has fallen 16.7 points since 2009, 73.6% to 56.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage CBR 125 RS-6 passes first time 72.7% of the time; by 40k that's 58.1%.
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 CBR 125 RS-6
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
271 | 21.7 | 2.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
258 | 20.7 | 2.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
188 | 15.1 | 2.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
137 | 11 | 3.2× |
| drive system |
|
111 | 8.9 | 7.1× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
101 | 8.1 | 2.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
73 | 5.9 | 4.4× |
| body and structure |
|
38 | 3 | 3.4× |
| tyres |
|
37 | 3 | 3.0× |
| steering |
|
33 | 2.6 | 4.2× |
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
On first-time pass rate the CBR 125 RS-6 beats 0 of its 3 closest rivals (YAMAHA YZF-R125, HONDA CBR125R, HONDA CBR 125 R-4).
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 CBR 125 RS-6.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2008 (67.7%). Lowest: 2006 (63.8%). Every CBR 125 RS-6 year compared →
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 CBR 125 RS-6 FAQ
Is the HONDA CBR 125 RS-6 reliable?
The HONDA CBR 125 RS-6 is less reliable than average for its class: 65.1% of its 1,644 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5012 of 5428 models.
What does a CBR 125 RS-6 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 22% of all defects recorded against failed CBR 125 RS-6 tests.
What is the best year of CBR 125 RS-6 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (67.7%) and 2006 worst (63.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a CBR 125 RS-6 last?
The median CBR 125 RS-6 shows 12,432 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 58.1% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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