BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Aprilia RS 125 11KW vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RS 125 11KW: 73.3% vs 58.1%, a 15.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Aprilia RS 125 11KW Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate 58.1% 73.3%
Outright fail rate 31.2% 16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -11.1 pts +1.1 pts
Engine size 125cc 125cc
Rank among all models #5273 of 5428 #4471 of 5428
Median miles at test 13,932 10,974
MOT tests analysed 731 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 Aprilia RS 125 11KW Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling 17.1% 8.0%
Steering & suspension 15.9% 6.2%
Brakes 12.3% 6.8%
Drive system 7.7% 2.0%
Structure & body 4.8% 4.1%
Tyres & wheels 5.3% 3.5%
Fuel & exhaust 2.5% 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 Aprilia RS 125 11KW Honda CBF125
2011 47.5% 69.3%
2012 49.4% 73.0%
2013 68.1% 73.5%
2014 58.9% 72.0%
2015 53.1% 71.8%
2016 54.4% 72.2%
2017 50.0% 71.3%

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 Aprilia RS 125 11KW Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles 63.8% 80.3%
10k-20k miles 58.7% 68.7%
20k-30k miles 51.7% 65.5%
30k-40k miles 46.9% 63.9%

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

Aprilia RS 125 11KW vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia RS 125 11KW or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RS 125 11KW: 73.3% vs 58.1%, a 15.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -11.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia RS 125 11KW, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia RS 125 11KW fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 17.1% of Aprilia RS 125 11KW MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (15.9%).

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 Aprilia RS 125 11KW or the Honda CBF125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 46.9% for the Aprilia RS 125 11KW vs 63.9% for the Honda CBF125.

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