PULSE XF

125cc Petrol Class 1

#5301 of 5426 overall #7 of 8 PULSEs #671 of 734 commuter bikes

57.2%

first-time pass rate

32.6%

failed outright

8,642

median miles at test

2,063

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The XF's first-time pass rate has risen 9.2 points since 2016, 48.7% to 57.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XF passes first time 60.0% of the time; by 30k that's 56.4%.

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 XF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	698	26.8	10.7×
brakes	502	19.3	3.5×
structure and attachments	404	15.5	17.5×
suspension	338	13	16.0×
lighting and signalling	223	8.6	1.3×
steering and suspension	149	5.7	1.5×
tyres	93	3.6	5.8×
steering	85	3.3	8.5×
drive system	79	3	4.0×
Identification of the vehicle	35	1.3	7.3×

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 XF beats 0 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 XF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2015 (60.4% pass). Weakest: 2012 (49.2%).

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.

PULSE XF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the PULSE XF reliable?

The PULSE XF is less reliable than average for its class: 57.2% of its 2,063 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5301 of 5426 models.

What does a XF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 27% of all defects recorded against failed XF tests.

What is the best year of XF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (60.4%) and 2012 worst (49.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XF last?

The median XF shows 8,642 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 56.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.