MBK THUNDER

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4600 of 5426 overall #2 of 13 MBKs #322 of 734 commuter bikes

71.7%

first-time pass rate

23.7%

failed outright

10,660

median miles at test

519

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The THUNDER's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.5 points since 2006, 77.2% to 66.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the THUNDER's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage THUNDER passes first time 74.1% of the time; by 20k that's 59.5%.

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 THUNDER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	109	32.6	3.4×
steering and suspension	97	29	3.6×
brakes	63	18.9	2.2×
tyres and wheels	33	9.9	2.5×
body and structure	11	3.3	4.0×
suspension	6	1.8	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	5	1.5	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	5	1.5	1.3×
tyres	3	0.9	0.8×
reg plates and vin	2	0.6	0.7×

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 THUNDER beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

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 THUNDER.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2002 (74.6% pass). Weakest: 2004 (69.6%).

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 THUNDER FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the MBK THUNDER reliable?

The MBK THUNDER is about average for its class: 71.7% of its 519 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4600 of 5426 models.

What does a THUNDER fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed THUNDER tests.

What is the best year of THUNDER to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (74.6%) and 2004 worst (69.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a THUNDER last?

The median THUNDER shows 10,660 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 59.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.