Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda SH 125 A vs Honda CBF125
The Honda SH 125 A passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 80.9% vs 73.3%, a 7.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda SH 125 A | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 80.9% | 73.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 10.6% | 16.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +11.2 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Engine size | 125cc | 125cc |
| Rank among all models | #3398 of 5428 | #4471 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,135 | 10,974 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,140 | 84,425 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Honda SH 125 A | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 4.4% | 8.0% |
| Brakes | 5.5% | 6.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 2.9% | 6.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| Structure & body | 0.3% | 4.1% |
| Drive system | 0% | 2.0% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.1% | 0.1% |
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 | Honda SH 125 A | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 78.6% | 71.3% |
| 2018 | 80.2% | 72.3% |
| 2019 | 81.7% | 70.4% |
| 2020 | 83.1% | 72.1% |
| 2021 | 81.3% | 72.6% |
| 2022 | 73.8% | 72.5% |
| 2023 | 72.2% | 74.4% |
| 2024 | 70.6% | 77.0% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda SH 125 A | Honda CBF125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 87.9% | 80.3% |
| 10k-20k miles | 80.2% | 68.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 76.7% | 65.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 75.5% | 63.9% |
| 40k-50k miles | 71.9% | 67.6% |
| 50k-60k miles | 80.6% | 67.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda SH 125 A vs Honda CBF125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda SH 125 A or the Honda CBF125?
The Honda SH 125 A passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 80.9% vs 73.3%, a 7.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda SH 125 A still comes out ahead: +11.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda SH 125 A, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda SH 125 A fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 5.5% of Honda SH 125 A MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (4.4%).
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%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda SH 125 A or the Honda CBF125?
At 50k-60k miles the Honda SH 125 A passes first time more often: 80.6% for the Honda SH 125 A vs 67.4% for the Honda CBF125.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.