Derbi Terra 125 vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Derbi Terra 125: 73.3% vs 67.7%, a 5.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Derbi Terra 125	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	67.7%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	24.3%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-5.7 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4875 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,802	10,974
MOT tests analysed	613	84,425
Most common failure	brakes	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	Derbi Terra 125	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	12.6%	8.0%
Brakes	11.3%	6.8%
Steering & suspension	11.3%	6.2%
Drive system	6.4%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	2.8%	3.5%
Structure & body	2.1%	4.1%
Fuel & exhaust	1.5%	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	Derbi Terra 125	Honda CBF125
2012	66.1%	73.0%
2013	76.3%	73.5%
2014	60.2%	72.0%
2015	63.3%	71.8%
2016	72.1%	72.2%
2017	65.5%	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	Derbi Terra 125	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	71.3%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	61.2%	68.7%

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

Derbi Terra 125 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Derbi Terra 125 or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Derbi Terra 125: 73.3% vs 67.7%, a 5.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -5.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Derbi Terra 125, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Derbi Terra 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.6% of Derbi Terra 125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (11.3%).

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%).

DERBI TERRA 125 67.7% pass · 613 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.