ZONTES SCORPION 125
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 SCORPION 125's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.8 points since 2020, 59.0% to 54.2%.
What fails on a SCORPION 125
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
178 | 32.6 | 4.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
145 | 26.6 | 11.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
92 | 16.8 | 16.8× |
| steering |
|
45 | 8.2 | 16.5× |
| suspension |
|
41 | 7.5 | 7.8× |
| tyres |
|
30 | 5.5 | 6.5× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
12 | 2.2 | 12.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 0.5 | 2.4× |
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 SCORPION 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 SCORPION 125.
Compare with any bike
More ZONTES models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2019 (59.2% pass). Weakest: 2020 (53.1%).
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.
ZONTES SCORPION 125 FAQ
Is the ZONTES SCORPION 125 reliable?
The ZONTES SCORPION 125 is less reliable than average for its class: 57.8% of its 540 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5282 of 5428 models.
What does a SCORPION 125 fail its MOT on most?
brakes — 33% of all defects recorded against failed SCORPION 125 tests.
What is the best year of SCORPION 125 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (59.2%) and 2020 worst (53.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
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