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

HONDA Z 125 MA-K

125cc Petrol Class 1
#153 of 5426 overall #23 of 921 HONDAs #4 of 734 commuter bikes
94.1%
first-time pass rate
1.8%
failed outright
1,701
median miles at test
4,239
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The Z 125 MA-K's first-time pass rate has risen 1.4 points since 2021, 93.3% to 94.7%.

92%94%96%2021: 93.3% pass (224 tests)2022: 93.1% pass (755 tests)2023: 94.5% pass (1,191 tests)2024: 94.2% pass (1,033 tests)2025: 94.7% pass (1,034 tests)20212025

What fails on a Z 125 MA-K

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
structure and attachments
39 29.8 1.0×
lamps and reflectors
36 27.5 0.4×
Identification of the vehicle
20 15.3 1.9×
suspension
12 9.2 0.3×
tyres
10 7.6 0.3×
steering
7 5.3 0.3×
brakes
6 4.6
audible warning (Horn)
1 0.8 0.1×

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 Z 125 MA-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 Z 125 MA-K.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (95.0% pass). Weakest: 2021 (86.9%).

85%91%97%2018: 93.5% pass (1,095 tests)2019: 95.0% pass (1,902 tests)2020: 93.8% pass (1,181 tests)2021: 86.9% pass (61 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 Z 125 MA-K FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA Z 125 MA-K reliable?

The HONDA Z 125 MA-K is more reliable than average for its class: 94.1% of its 4,239 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #153 of 5426 models.

What does a Z 125 MA-K fail its MOT on most?

structure and attachments — 30% of all defects recorded against failed Z 125 MA-K tests.

What is the best year of Z 125 MA-K to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (95.0%) and 2021 worst (86.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.