BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Aprilia RS4 125/vs Honda CG125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Aprilia RS4 125 vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RS4 125: 72.2% vs 69.0%, a 3.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Aprilia RS4 125 Honda CG125
First-time pass rate 69.0% 72.2%
Outright fail rate 22.4% 16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -3.4 pts +0.7 pts
Engine size 125cc 124cc
Rank among all models #4799 of 5428 #4568 of 5428
Median miles at test 9,084 17,460
MOT tests analysed 1,266 89,345
Most common failure brakes 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 Aprilia RS4 125 Honda CG125
Lights & signalling 10.3% 10.0%
Brakes 10.3% 5.1%
Steering & suspension 8.0% 7.2%
Tyres & wheels 3.9% 4.6%
Structure & body 5.9% 1.9%
Drive system 3.5% 2.6%
Fuel & exhaust 1.3% 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 Aprilia RS4 125 Honda CG125
2018 67.6% 72.6%
2019 70.2% 71.8%
2020 73.3% 73.6%
2021 64.6% 73.9%
2022 56.5% 73.5%
2023 61.0% 74.4%
2024 63.3% 73.0%
2025 75.6% 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 Aprilia RS4 125 Honda CG125
0k-10k miles 73.2% 79.3%
10k-20k miles 62.6% 73.0%
20k-30k miles 63.6% 68.3%

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

Aprilia RS4 125 vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia RS4 125 or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RS4 125: 72.2% vs 69.0%, a 3.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -3.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia RS4 125, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia RS4 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.3% of Aprilia RS4 125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (10.3%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia RS4 125 or the Honda CG125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 63.6% for the Aprilia RS4 125 vs 68.3% for the Honda CG125.

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