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League table/ ZONTES/ZT 125-3A TIGER
Model report · 2005–2025

ZONTES ZT 125-3A TIGER

125cc Petrol Class 1
57.9%
first-time pass rate
27.4%
failed outright
10,335
median miles at test
456
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-14.5pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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

first-time pass rate by test year · 2015–2021

The ZT 125-3A TIGER's first-time pass rate has fallen 11.1 points since 2015, 62.7% to 51.6%.

49%57%65%2015: 62.7% pass (59 tests)2016: 62.1% pass (103 tests)2017: 59.7% pass (77 tests)2018: 55.6% pass (45 tests)2019: 61.1% pass (36 tests)2021: 51.6% pass (31 tests)20152021

Pass rate by mileage

how the ZT 125-3A TIGER's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage ZT 125-3A TIGER passes first time 68.2% of the time; by 20k that's 38.9%.

33%54%74%0k: 68.2% pass (223 tests)10k: 51.7% pass (145 tests)20k: 38.9% pass (54 tests)0k10k20k

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 ZT 125-3A TIGER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
69 18.8
lighting and signalling
64 17.4
lamps and reflectors
57 15.5
steering and suspension
50 13.6
drive system
37 10.1
structure and attachments
33 9
suspension
19 5.2
body and structure
17 4.6
steering
15 4.1
tyres
7 1.9

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

Compare with any bike

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Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (60.0% pass). Weakest: 2013 (57.1%).

56%59%61%2012: 60.0% pass (215 tests)2013: 57.1% pass (189 tests)20122013

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.

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