Baotian BT 125 T-21 vs Gilera Runner

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Baotian BT 125 T-21: 70.8% vs 66.7%, a 4.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Baotian BT 125 T-21	Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate	66.7%	70.8%
Outright fail rate	27.3%	21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.7 pts	-0.7 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4925 of 5428	#4675 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,986	11,381
MOT tests analysed	888	69,850
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Baotian BT 125 T-21	Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling	14.6%	12.3%
Steering & suspension	9.9%	10.6%
Brakes	8.1%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	9.3%	5.1%
Structure & body	2.4%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.9%	2.6%

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	Baotian BT 125 T-21	Gilera Runner
2016	67.4%	73.3%
2017	63.9%	76.1%
2018	66.2%	77.2%
2019	73.4%	77.0%
2020	61.9%	75.8%
2021	63.5%	79.1%
2022	64.1%	80.5%
2023	73.3%	81.3%

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	Baotian BT 125 T-21	Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles	71.3%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	54.0%	67.5%

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

Baotian BT 125 T-21 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Baotian BT 125 T-21 or the Gilera Runner?

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Baotian BT 125 T-21: 70.8% vs 66.7%, a 4.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -7.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Baotian BT 125 T-21, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Baotian BT 125 T-21 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 14.6% of Baotian BT 125 T-21 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.9%).

What does the Gilera Runner fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Gilera Runner MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.6%).

BAOTIAN BT 125 T-21 66.7% pass · 888 tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

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