Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA VT 125 C-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 VT 125 C-6's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2009 (75.3% → 75.6%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VT 125 C-6 passes first time 81.6% of the time; by 40k that's 60.0%.
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 VT 125 C-6
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
344 | 33.9 | 2.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
174 | 17.1 | 1.0× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
97 | 9.5 | 1.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
90 | 8.9 | 1.3× |
| drive system |
|
87 | 8.6 | 3.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
66 | 6.5 | 0.7× |
| structure and attachments |
|
61 | 6 | 2.4× |
| tyres |
|
43 | 4.2 | 2.0× |
| suspension |
|
35 | 3.4 | 1.4× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
19 | 1.9 | 0.9× |
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 VT 125 C-6 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 VT 125 C-6.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (74.0%). Lowest: 2008 (73.7%). Every VT 125 C-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 VT 125 C-6 FAQ
Is the HONDA VT 125 C-6 reliable?
The HONDA VT 125 C-6 is about average for its class: 73.8% of its 2,685 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4421 of 5428 models.
What does a VT 125 C-6 fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 34% of all defects recorded against failed VT 125 C-6 tests.
What is the best year of VT 125 C-6 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (74.0%) and 2008 worst (73.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VT 125 C-6 last?
The median VT 125 C-6 shows 10,847 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 60.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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