Benelli Velvet vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Benelli Velvet: 73.3% vs 71.1%, a 2.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Benelli Velvet	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	71.1%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	22.1%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.5 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4652 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,828	10,974
MOT tests analysed	1,049	84,425
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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	Benelli Velvet	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	12.1%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	13.1%	6.2%
Brakes	8.2%	6.8%
Tyres & wheels	5.7%	3.5%
Structure & body	1.3%	4.1%
Drive system	0%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.3%	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	Benelli Velvet	Honda CBF125
2011	72.0%	69.3%
2012	62.0%	73.0%
2013	65.6%	73.5%
2014	67.2%	72.0%
2015	80.0%	71.8%
2016	65.2%	72.2%
2017	70.0%	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	Benelli Velvet	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	78.2%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	68.5%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	65.5%	65.5%
30k-40k miles	53.1%	63.9%

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

Benelli Velvet vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Benelli Velvet or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Benelli Velvet: 73.3% vs 71.1%, a 2.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -3.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Benelli Velvet, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Benelli Velvet fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 13.1% of Benelli Velvet MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (12.1%).

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 Benelli Velvet or the Honda CBF125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 53.1% for the Benelli Velvet vs 63.9% for the Honda CBF125.

BENELLI VELVET 71.1% pass · 1,049 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.