BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Daelim VL/vs Honda CG125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Daelim VL vs Honda CG125

The Daelim VL passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 74.1% vs 72.2%, a 1.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Daelim VL Honda CG125
First-time pass rate 74.1% 72.2%
Outright fail rate 18.8% 16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -1.2 pts +0.7 pts
Engine size 124cc 124cc
Rank among all models #4387 of 5428 #4568 of 5428
Median miles at test 8,759 17,460
MOT tests analysed 590 89,345
Most common failure structure and attachments 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 Daelim VL Honda CG125
Lights & signalling 7.3% 10.0%
Steering & suspension 7.5% 7.2%
Brakes 9.2% 5.1%
Structure & body 8.5% 1.9%
Tyres & wheels 3.2% 4.6%
Drive system 0.2% 2.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.9%

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 CG125
2018 82.2% 72.6%
2019 72.8% 71.8%
2020 69.5% 73.6%
2021 75.6% 73.9%
2022 79.2% 73.5%
2023 64.7% 74.4%
2024 67.4% 73.0%
2025 72.2% 76.4%

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 CG125
0k-10k miles 79.6% 79.3%
10k-20k miles 68.0% 73.0%
20k-30k miles 62.5% 68.3%

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

Daelim VL vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Daelim VL or the Honda CG125?

The Daelim VL passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 74.1% vs 72.2%, a 1.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -1.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Daelim VL, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. 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 CG125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.0% of Honda CG125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Daelim VL or the Honda CG125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 62.5% for the Daelim VL vs 68.3% for the Honda CG125.

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