BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Gilera Runner 125 vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner 125: 72.2% vs 69.0%, a 3.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Gilera Runner 125 Honda CG125
First-time pass rate 69.0% 72.2%
Outright fail rate 24.0% 16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -2.0 pts +0.7 pts
Engine size 124cc 124cc
Rank among all models #4799 of 5428 #4568 of 5428
Median miles at test 11,748 17,460
MOT tests analysed 4,407 89,345
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 Gilera Runner 125 Honda CG125
Lights & signalling 14.2% 10.0%
Steering & suspension 11.1% 7.2%
Brakes 8.6% 5.1%
Tyres & wheels 6.9% 4.6%
Structure & body 2.1% 1.9%
Fuel & exhaust 2.6% 0.9%
Drive system 0% 2.6%

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 Gilera Runner 125 Honda CG125
2017 74.8% 72.7%
2018 70.7% 72.6%
2019 77.5% 71.8%
2020 72.7% 73.6%
2021 74.2% 73.9%
2022 85.0% 73.5%
2023 73.8% 74.4%
2025 83.3% 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 Gilera Runner 125 Honda CG125
0k-10k miles 74.3% 79.3%
10k-20k miles 64.8% 73.0%
20k-30k miles 67.9% 68.3%
30k-40k miles 62.9% 66.4%

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

Gilera Runner 125 vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Gilera Runner 125 or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner 125: 72.2% vs 69.0%, a 3.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -2.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Gilera Runner 125, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Gilera Runner 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 14.2% of Gilera Runner 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (11.1%).

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 Gilera Runner 125 or the Honda CG125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 62.9% for the Gilera Runner 125 vs 66.4% for the Honda CG125.

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