Hongdou 125 vs Gilera Runner

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Hongdou 125: 70.8% vs 61.2%, a 9.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Hongdou 125	Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate	61.2%	70.8%
Outright fail rate	24.5%	21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-14.8 pts	-0.7 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5175 of 5428	#4675 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,193	11,381
MOT tests analysed	554	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	Hongdou 125	Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling	13.7%	12.3%
Steering & suspension	12.8%	10.6%
Brakes	9.6%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	6.5%	5.1%
Structure & body	3.6%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.8%	2.6%
Drive system	4.2%	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	Hongdou 125	Gilera Runner
2006	61.0%	70.5%
2007	65.6%	69.7%
2008	57.4%	67.8%
2009	68.6%	67.1%
2010	60.9%	67.9%
2011	64.0%	67.6%
2012	54.2%	69.5%

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	Hongdou 125	Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles	63.3%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	52.4%	67.5%
20k-30k miles	58.3%	65.4%

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

Hongdou 125 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Hongdou 125 or the Gilera Runner?

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Hongdou 125: 70.8% vs 61.2%, a 9.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -14.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Hongdou 125, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Hongdou 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 13.7% of Hongdou 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (12.8%).

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 Hongdou 125 or the Gilera Runner?

At 20k-30k miles the Gilera Runner passes first time more often: 58.3% for the Hongdou 125 vs 65.4% for the Gilera Runner.

HONGDOU 125 61.2% pass · 554 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.