Honda NES125 vs Gilera Runner

The Honda NES125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 84.3% vs 70.8%, a 13.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda NES125	Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate	84.3%	70.8%
Outright fail rate	10.8%	21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+13.0 pts	-0.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#2659 of 5428	#4675 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,428	11,381
MOT tests analysed	536	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 NES125	Gilera Runner
Steering & suspension	4.9%	10.6%
Lights & signalling	2.6%	12.3%
Brakes	5.6%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.0%	5.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	2.6%
Structure & body	0.2%	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	Honda NES125	Gilera Runner
2008	85.5%	67.8%
2009	76.7%	67.1%
2010	93.8%	67.9%
2011	82.5%	67.6%
2012	74.4%	69.5%
2013	93.9%	69.5%
2014	68.8%	70.6%
2016	83.3%	73.3%

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 NES125	Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles	91.9%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	82.4%	67.5%
20k-30k miles	75.7%	65.4%

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

Honda NES125 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda NES125 or the Gilera Runner?

The Honda NES125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 84.3% vs 70.8%, a 13.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda NES125 still comes out ahead: +13.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda NES125, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda NES125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.6% of Honda NES125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.9%).

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 NES125 or the Gilera Runner?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda NES125 passes first time more often: 75.7% for the Honda NES125 vs 65.4% for the Gilera Runner.

HONDA NES125 84.3% pass · 536 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.