BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Gilera Runner/vs Honda CBF125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Gilera Runner vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 73.3% vs 70.8%, a 2.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Gilera Runner Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate 70.8% 73.3%
Outright fail rate 21.5% 16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -0.7 pts +1.1 pts
Engine size 124cc 125cc
Rank among all models #4675 of 5428 #4471 of 5428
Median miles at test 11,381 10,974
MOT tests analysed 69,850 84,425
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 Gilera Runner Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling 12.3% 8.0%
Steering & suspension 10.6% 6.2%
Brakes 7.2% 6.8%
Tyres & wheels 5.1% 3.5%
Structure & body 2.0% 4.1%
Fuel & exhaust 2.6% 0.1%
Drive system 0.0% 2.0%

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 Honda CBF125
2018 77.2% 72.3%
2019 77.0% 70.4%
2020 75.8% 72.1%
2021 79.1% 72.6%
2022 80.5% 72.5%
2023 81.3% 74.4%
2024 84.0% 77.0%
2025 85.5% 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 Gilera Runner Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles 76.2% 80.3%
10k-20k miles 67.5% 68.7%
20k-30k miles 65.4% 65.5%
30k-40k miles 67.2% 63.9%
40k-50k miles 68.1% 67.6%
50k-60k miles 67.8% 67.4%

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

Gilera Runner vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Gilera Runner or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 73.3% vs 70.8%, a 2.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -0.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Gilera Runner, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Gilera Runner fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Gilera Runner MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.6%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Gilera Runner or the Honda CBF125?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Gilera Runner passes 67.8% first time and the Honda CBF125 67.4%.

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