Daelim VL vs Honda CBF125

The Daelim VL passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 74.1% vs 73.3%, a 0.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Daelim VL	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	74.1%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	18.8%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.2 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4387 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,759	10,974
MOT tests analysed	590	84,425
Most common failure	structure and attachments	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	Daelim VL	Honda CBF125
Brakes	9.2%	6.8%
Lights & signalling	7.3%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	7.5%	6.2%
Structure & body	8.5%	4.1%
Tyres & wheels	3.2%	3.5%
Drive system	0.2%	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	Daelim VL	Honda CBF125
2018	82.2%	72.3%
2019	72.8%	70.4%
2020	69.5%	72.1%
2021	75.6%	72.6%
2022	79.2%	72.5%
2023	64.7%	74.4%
2024	67.4%	77.0%
2025	72.2%	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	Daelim VL	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	79.6%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	68.0%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	62.5%	65.5%

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

Daelim VL vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Daelim VL or the Honda CBF125?

The Daelim VL passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 74.1% vs 73.3%, a 0.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -1.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Daelim VL, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Daelim VL fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 9.2% of Daelim VL MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (8.5%).

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 Daelim VL or the Honda CBF125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 62.5% for the Daelim VL vs 65.5% for the Honda CBF125.

DAELIM VL 74.1% pass · 590 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.