Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Ajs Tempest Roadster vs Honda CBF125
The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ajs Tempest Roadster: 73.3% vs 72.2%, a 1.1-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Ajs Tempest Roadster | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 72.2% | 73.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 18.3% | 16.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -4.1 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Engine size | 124cc | 125cc |
| Rank among all models | #4568 of 5428 | #4471 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 3,790 | 10,974 |
| MOT tests analysed | 558 | 84,425 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Ajs Tempest Roadster | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 9.3% | 8.0% |
| Brakes | 10.4% | 6.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 5.4% | 6.2% |
| Structure & body | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| Tyres & wheels | 0.2% | 3.5% |
| Drive system | 0% | 2.0% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0% | 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
| Test year | Ajs Tempest Roadster | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.0% | 72.6% |
| 2022 | 72.4% | 72.5% |
| 2023 | 65.6% | 74.4% |
| 2024 | 68.4% | 77.0% |
| 2025 | 74.8% | 79.0% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Ajs Tempest Roadster | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 75.1% | 80.3% |
| 10k-20k miles | 59.7% | 68.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Ajs Tempest Roadster vs Honda CBF125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Ajs Tempest Roadster or the Honda CBF125?
The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ajs Tempest Roadster: 73.3% vs 72.2%, a 1.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -4.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Ajs Tempest Roadster, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Ajs Tempest Roadster fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 10.4% of Ajs Tempest Roadster MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (9.3%).
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%).
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.