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

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Honda CBF125 vs Gilera Runner

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

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 Honda CBF125 Gilera Runner
2018 72.3% 77.2%
2019 70.4% 77.0%
2020 72.1% 75.8%
2021 72.6% 79.1%
2022 72.5% 80.5%
2023 74.4% 81.3%
2024 77.0% 84.0%
2025 79.0% 85.5%

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 Honda CBF125 Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles 80.3% 76.2%
10k-20k miles 68.7% 67.5%
20k-30k miles 65.5% 65.4%
30k-40k miles 63.9% 67.2%
40k-50k miles 67.6% 68.1%
50k-60k miles 67.4% 67.8%

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

Honda CBF125 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

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: +1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CBF125, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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%).

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 Honda CBF125 or the Gilera Runner?

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

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