BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

URBAN DZ 125

124cc Petrol Class 1
#5383 of 5426 overall #1 of 1 URBANs #714 of 734 commuter bikes
51.6%
first-time pass rate
37.6%
failed outright
3,448
median miles at test
768
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2008–2017

The DZ 125's first-time pass rate has risen 17.2 points since 2008, 47.7% to 64.9%.

31%52%73%2008: 47.7% pass (44 tests)2009: 47.8% pass (92 tests)2010: 52.8% pass (108 tests)2011: 52.2% pass (92 tests)2012: 46.2% pass (78 tests)2013: 40.8% pass (71 tests)2014: 51.6% pass (64 tests)2015: 66.1% pass (59 tests)2016: 38.3% pass (47 tests)2017: 64.9% pass (37 tests)20082017

What fails on a DZ 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
490 42.8 6.7×
steering and suspension
237 20.7 6.5×
brakes
110 9.6 2.3×
tyres and wheels
94 8.2 5.1×
drive system
76 6.6 10.1×
body and structure
48 4.2 9.8×
lamps and reflectors
32 2.8 1.2×
fuel and exhaust
28 2.4 4.5×
reg plates and vin
15 1.3 3.2×
driving controls
14 1.2 7.8×

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 DZ 125 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 DZ 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (57.6% pass). Weakest: 2005 (50.6%).

49%54%59%2004: 54.0% pass (50 tests)2005: 50.6% pass (156 tests)2006: 53.9% pass (245 tests)2007: 57.6% pass (139 tests)200420062007

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.

URBAN DZ 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the URBAN DZ 125 reliable?

The URBAN DZ 125 is less reliable than average for its class: 51.6% of its 768 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5383 of 5426 models.

What does a DZ 125 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 43% of all defects recorded against failed DZ 125 tests.

What is the best year of DZ 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (57.6%) and 2005 worst (50.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.