BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Gilera Runner/vs Yamaha YBR 125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Gilera Runner vs Yamaha YBR 125

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 71.0% vs 70.8%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Gilera Runner Yamaha YBR 125
First-time pass rate 70.8% 71.0%
Outright fail rate 21.5% 17.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -0.7 pts -1.1 pts
Engine size 124cc 124cc
Rank among all models #4675 of 5428 #4664 of 5428
Median miles at test 11,381 10,652
MOT tests analysed 69,850 124,897
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 Yamaha YBR 125
Lights & signalling 12.3% 8.5%
Steering & suspension 10.6% 6.5%
Brakes 7.2% 5.9%
Tyres & wheels 5.1% 4.4%
Structure & body 2.0% 3.8%
Fuel & exhaust 2.6% 0.6%
Drive system 0.0% 2.9%

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 Gilera Runner Yamaha YBR 125
2018 77.2% 72.0%
2019 77.0% 71.8%
2020 75.8% 73.4%
2021 79.1% 71.6%
2022 80.5% 71.3%
2023 81.3% 71.1%
2024 84.0% 70.9%
2025 85.5% 71.2%

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 Yamaha YBR 125
0k-10k miles 76.2% 76.8%
10k-20k miles 67.5% 67.4%
20k-30k miles 65.4% 63.8%
30k-40k miles 67.2% 62.2%
40k-50k miles 68.1% 63.4%
50k-60k miles 67.8% 63.6%

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

Gilera Runner vs Yamaha YBR 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Gilera Runner or the Yamaha YBR 125?

The Yamaha YBR 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 71.0% vs 70.8%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-0.7 vs -1.1 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. 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 Yamaha YBR 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.5% of Yamaha YBR 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Gilera Runner or the Yamaha YBR 125?

At 50k-60k miles the Gilera Runner passes first time more often: 67.8% for the Gilera Runner vs 63.6% for the Yamaha YBR 125.

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