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 SKYLINER's first-time pass rate has risen 9.6 points since 2006, 60.4% to 70.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SKYLINER passes first time 74.0% of the time; by 30k that's 59.1%.
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 SKYLINER
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
122 | 27.1 | 2.9× |
| brakes |
|
118 | 26.2 | 2.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
100 | 22.2 | 3.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
68 | 15.1 | 4.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
21 | 4.7 | 3.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
5 | 1.1 | 1.1× |
| tyres |
|
5 | 1.1 | 0.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 0.9 | 0.3× |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 0.9 | 1.1× |
| suspension |
|
3 | 0.7 | 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
On first-time pass rate the SKYLINER 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 SKYLINER.
Compare with any bike
More MBK models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2003 (67.3% pass). Weakest: 2004 (61.7%).
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.
MBK SKYLINER FAQ
Is the MBK SKYLINER reliable?
The MBK SKYLINER is less reliable than average for its class: 65.9% of its 763 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4974 of 5428 models.
What does a SKYLINER fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 27% of all defects recorded against failed SKYLINER tests.
What is the best year of SKYLINER to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (67.3%) and 2004 worst (61.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SKYLINER last?
The median SKYLINER shows 12,822 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 59.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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