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

WHITE KNUCKLE 125

124cc Petrol Class 1
51.7%
first-time pass rate
36.9%
failed outright
5,677
median miles at test
924
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The 125's first-time pass rate has risen 6.6 points since 2017, 51.3% to 57.9%.

36%50%64%2017: 51.3% pass (113 tests)2018: 53.6% pass (138 tests)2019: 48.6% pass (144 tests)2020: 59.4% pass (128 tests)2021: 51.0% pass (147 tests)2022: 40.7% pass (81 tests)2023: 50.7% pass (73 tests)2024: 44.2% pass (43 tests)2025: 57.9% pass (38 tests)20172025

What fails on a 125

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors
387 30.3 13.0×
structure and attachments
229 17.9 21.0×
brakes
211 16.5 3.5×
suspension
147 11.5 15.7×
steering
85 6.7 16.9×
lighting and signalling
82 6.4 1.2×
steering and suspension
64 5 1.3×
tyres
36 2.8 4.9×
drive system
22 1.7 3.1×
Identification of the vehicle
15 1.2 7.0×

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 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 125.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (61.3% pass). Weakest: 2016 (47.4%).

45%54%64%2012: 61.3% pass (62 tests)2013: 56.3% pass (119 tests)2014: 51.1% pass (264 tests)2015: 50.0% pass (258 tests)2016: 47.4% pass (196 tests)201220142016

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.

WHITE KNUCKLE 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the WHITE KNUCKLE 125 reliable?

The WHITE KNUCKLE 125 is less reliable than average for its class: 51.7% of its 924 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5382 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 30% of all defects recorded against failed 125 tests.

What is the best year of 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (61.3%) and 2016 worst (47.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.