Ajs DD 125 E vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ajs DD 125 E: 73.3% vs 62.2%, a 11.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ajs DD 125 E	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	62.2%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	23.7%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-10.8 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5138 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,162	10,974
MOT tests analysed	1,189	84,425
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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 DD 125 E	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	15.1%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	9.6%	6.2%
Brakes	8.1%	6.8%
Tyres & wheels	6.1%	3.5%
Structure & body	4.1%	4.1%
Drive system	5.0%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	0.1%

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 DD 125 E	Honda CBF125
2014	59.8%	72.0%
2015	62.5%	71.8%
2016	62.9%	72.2%
2017	56.1%	71.3%
2018	59.0%	72.3%
2019	57.5%	70.4%
2021	58.1%	72.6%
2022	51.4%	72.5%

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 DD 125 E	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	69.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	54.7%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	48.9%	65.5%

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

Ajs DD 125 E vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ajs DD 125 E or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ajs DD 125 E: 73.3% vs 62.2%, a 11.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -10.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Ajs DD 125 E, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ajs DD 125 E fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 15.1% of Ajs DD 125 E MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.6%).

What does the Honda CBF125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.0% of Honda CBF125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ajs DD 125 E or the Honda CBF125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 48.9% for the Ajs DD 125 E vs 65.5% for the Honda CBF125.

AJS DD 125 E 62.2% pass · 1,189 tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests

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