Barossa XS 125 T-13 vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Barossa XS 125 T-13: 73.3% vs 69.3%, a 4.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Barossa XS 125 T-13	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	69.3%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	19.5%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.0 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4785 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,118	10,974
MOT tests analysed	796	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	Barossa XS 125 T-13	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	12.4%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	6.8%	6.2%
Brakes	6.0%	6.8%
Tyres & wheels	4.4%	3.5%
Structure & body	1.6%	4.1%
Fuel & exhaust	2.9%	0.1%
Drive system	0%	2.0%

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	Barossa XS 125 T-13	Honda CBF125
2011	65.7%	69.3%
2012	67.8%	73.0%
2013	72.3%	73.5%
2014	67.5%	72.0%
2015	63.4%	71.8%
2016	65.5%	72.2%
2017	75.6%	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	Barossa XS 125 T-13	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	74.6%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	61.6%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	77.0%	65.5%

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

Barossa XS 125 T-13 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Barossa XS 125 T-13 or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Barossa XS 125 T-13: 73.3% vs 69.3%, a 4.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Barossa XS 125 T-13, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Barossa XS 125 T-13 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.4% of Barossa XS 125 T-13 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.8%).

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 Barossa XS 125 T-13 or the Honda CBF125?

At 20k-30k miles the Barossa XS 125 T-13 passes first time more often: 77.0% for the Barossa XS 125 T-13 vs 65.5% for the Honda CBF125.

BAROSSA XS 125 T-13 69.3% pass · 796 tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests

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