Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Herald Motor Company XF vs Honda CG125
The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Herald Motor Company XF: 72.2% vs 66.1%, a 6.1-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Herald Motor Company XF | Honda CG125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 66.1% | 72.2% |
| Outright fail rate | 18.8% | 16.8% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -9.0 pts | +0.7 pts |
| Engine size | 125cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #4960 of 5428 | #4568 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 5,213 | 17,460 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,923 | 89,345 |
| Most common failure | lamps and reflectors | 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
| Component | Herald Motor Company XF | Honda CG125 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 14.2% | 10.0% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.9% | 7.2% |
| Structure & body | 8.3% | 1.9% |
| Brakes | 4.0% | 5.1% |
| Tyres & wheels | 2.5% | 4.6% |
| Drive system | 0.3% | 2.6% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.2% | 0.9% |
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
| Test year | Herald Motor Company XF | Honda CG125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 65.2% | 72.6% |
| 2019 | 63.6% | 71.8% |
| 2020 | 73.6% | 73.6% |
| 2021 | 64.6% | 73.9% |
| 2022 | 66.4% | 73.5% |
| 2023 | 60.5% | 74.4% |
| 2024 | 69.9% | 73.0% |
| 2025 | 65.9% | 76.4% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Herald Motor Company XF | Honda CG125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 68.7% | 79.3% |
| 10k-20k miles | 57.5% | 73.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 61.7% | 68.3% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Herald Motor Company XF vs Honda CG125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Herald Motor Company XF or the Honda CG125?
The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Herald Motor Company XF: 72.2% vs 66.1%, a 6.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -9.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Herald Motor Company XF, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Herald Motor Company XF fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 14.2% of Herald Motor Company XF MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (8.3%).
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 Herald Motor Company XF or the Honda CG125?
At 20k-30k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 61.7% for the Herald Motor Company XF vs 68.3% for the Honda CG125.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.