BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Bullit Hero 125/vs Honda CBF125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Bullit Hero 125 vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Bullit Hero 125: 73.3% vs 70.2%, a 3.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Bullit Hero 125 Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate 70.2% 73.3%
Outright fail rate 18.3% 16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -8.2 pts +1.1 pts
Engine size 125cc 125cc
Rank among all models #4717 of 5428 #4471 of 5428
Median miles at test 2,291 10,974
MOT tests analysed 1,047 84,425
Most common failure lamps and reflectors 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 Bullit Hero 125 Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling 13.2% 8.0%
Steering & suspension 7.6% 6.2%
Structure & body 6.2% 4.1%
Brakes 3.3% 6.8%
Tyres & wheels 1.3% 3.5%
Drive system 0% 2.0%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 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 Bullit Hero 125 Honda CBF125
2021 65.0% 72.6%
2022 67.2% 72.5%
2023 68.6% 74.4%
2024 69.1% 77.0%
2025 76.1% 79.0%

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 Bullit Hero 125 Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles 70.8% 80.3%
10k-20k miles 62.0% 68.7%

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

Bullit Hero 125 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Bullit Hero 125 or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Bullit Hero 125: 73.3% vs 70.2%, a 3.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -8.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Bullit Hero 125, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Bullit Hero 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 13.2% of Bullit Hero 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.6%).

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%).

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