Ajs DD vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ajs DD: 72.2% vs 68.4%, a 3.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ajs DD	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	68.4%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	20.5%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.3 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4831 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,780	17,460
MOT tests analysed	1,798	89,345
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 DD	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	13.4%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	7.4%	7.2%
Brakes	6.2%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	3.9%	4.6%
Structure & body	6.3%	1.9%
Drive system	1.2%	2.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.9%

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	Honda CG125
2018	67.8%	72.6%
2019	68.4%	71.8%
2020	69.5%	73.6%
2021	65.4%	73.9%
2022	69.1%	73.5%
2023	64.6%	74.4%
2024	73.1%	73.0%
2025	69.1%	76.4%

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	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	68.6%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	62.0%	73.0%

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

Ajs DD vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ajs DD or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ajs DD: 72.2% vs 68.4%, a 3.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -9.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Ajs DD, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ajs DD fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 13.4% of Ajs DD MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.4%).

What does the Honda CG125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.0% of Honda CG125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.2%).

AJS DD 68.4% pass · 1,798 tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests

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