BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Model report · 2005–2025

HONGDOU CG125

125cc Petrol Class 1
#4985 of 5428 overall #1 of 2 HONGDOUs #509 of 734 commuter bikes
65.7%
first-time pass rate
25.6%
failed outright
5,113
median miles at test
297
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-9.9pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2008

The CG125's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (61.7% → 62.5%).

46%56%66%2006: 61.7% pass (60 tests)2007: 49.0% pass (51 tests)2008: 62.5% pass (32 tests)20062008

What fails on a CG125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
102 33.9
steering and suspension
64 21.3
brakes
52 17.3
tyres and wheels
39 13
drive system
17 5.6
body and structure
11 3.7
fuel and exhaust
7 2.3
lamps and reflectors
4 1.3
structure and attachments
3 1
Items Not Tested
2 0.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the CG125 beats 0 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 CG125.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the CG125

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (65.2% pass). Weakest: 2003 (65.2%).

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.

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