Hartford HD-125L vs Gilera Runner

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Hartford HD-125L: 70.8% vs 65.0%, a 5.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Hartford HD-125L	Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate	65.0%	70.8%
Outright fail rate	20.8%	21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.5 pts	-0.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5018 of 5428	#4675 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,149	11,381
MOT tests analysed	1,419	69,850
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	Hartford HD-125L	Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling	12.5%	12.3%
Steering & suspension	8.2%	10.6%
Brakes	6.6%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.5%	5.1%
Structure & body	3.9%	2.0%
Drive system	5.4%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.1%	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	Hartford HD-125L	Gilera Runner
2011	68.4%	67.6%
2012	60.0%	69.5%
2013	51.5%	69.5%
2014	61.7%	70.6%
2015	64.2%	72.1%
2016	60.7%	73.3%
2017	70.2%	76.1%
2018	59.5%	77.2%

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	Hartford HD-125L	Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles	69.4%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	58.2%	67.5%
20k-30k miles	65.2%	65.4%
30k-40k miles	46.7%	67.2%

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

Hartford HD-125L vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Hartford HD-125L or the Gilera Runner?

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Hartford HD-125L: 70.8% vs 65.0%, a 5.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -7.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Hartford HD-125L, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Hartford HD-125L fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.5% of Hartford HD-125L MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.2%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Hartford HD-125L or the Gilera Runner?

At 30k-40k miles the Gilera Runner passes first time more often: 46.7% for the Hartford HD-125L vs 67.2% for the Gilera Runner.

HARTFORD HD-125L 65.0% pass · 1,419 tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

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