Ajs Cadwell vs Gilera Runner

The Ajs Cadwell passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 74.5% vs 70.8%, a 3.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Ajs Cadwell	Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate	74.5%	70.8%
Outright fail rate	16.3%	21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.7 pts	-0.7 pts
Engine size	123cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4355 of 5428	#4675 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,088	11,381
MOT tests analysed	1,263	69,850
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Ajs Cadwell	Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling	10.1%	12.3%
Brakes	7.6%	7.2%
Steering & suspension	4.0%	10.6%
Structure & body	4.8%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	0.5%	5.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	2.6%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Ajs Cadwell	Gilera Runner
2019	72.1%	77.0%
2020	81.6%	75.8%
2021	77.5%	79.1%
2022	73.5%	80.5%
2023	69.7%	81.3%
2024	76.8%	84.0%
2025	71.4%	85.5%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Ajs Cadwell	Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles	76.2%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	67.1%	67.5%
20k-30k miles	62.1%	65.4%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ajs Cadwell vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ajs Cadwell or the Gilera Runner?

The Ajs Cadwell passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 74.5% vs 70.8%, a 3.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -1.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Ajs Cadwell, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ajs Cadwell fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.1% of Ajs Cadwell MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.6%).

What does the Gilera Runner fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Gilera Runner MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ajs Cadwell or the Gilera Runner?

At 20k-30k miles the Gilera Runner passes first time more often: 62.1% for the Ajs Cadwell vs 65.4% for the Gilera Runner.

AJS CADWELL 74.5% pass · 1,263 tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.