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League table/ ZONTES/ZT 125-8A PANTHER
Model report · 2005–2025

ZONTES ZT 125-8A PANTHER

125cc Petrol Class 1
#5282 of 5428 overall #9 of 11 ZONTESs #658 of 734 commuter bikes
57.8%
first-time pass rate
32.3%
failed outright
8,819
median miles at test
313
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-14.3pp
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 · 2015–2017

The ZT 125-8A PANTHER's first-time pass rate has fallen 17.5 points since 2015, 69.8% to 52.3%.

48%61%74%2015: 69.8% pass (43 tests)2016: 62.8% pass (78 tests)2017: 52.3% pass (44 tests)20152017

What fails on a ZT 125-8A PANTHER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lamps and reflectors
67 19
brakes
66 18.8
lighting and signalling
59 16.8
structure and attachments
38 10.8
drive system
27 7.7
steering and suspension
27 7.7
steering
26 7.4
suspension
19 5.4
body and structure
12 3.4
tyres
11 3.1

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

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ZT 125-8A PANTHER 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 ZT 125-8A PANTHER.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the ZT 125-8A Panther

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2012 (60.4% pass). Weakest: 2013 (52.5%).

51%56%62%2012: 60.4% pass (134 tests)2013: 52.5% pass (139 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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