BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Kaisar KS 125-23/vs Honda CG125
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Kaisar KS 125-23 vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kaisar KS 125-23: 72.2% vs 46.7%, a 25.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Kaisar KS 125-23 Honda CG125
First-time pass rate 46.7% 72.2%
Outright fail rate 41.7% 16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -27.9 pts +0.7 pts
Engine size 124cc 124cc
Rank among all models #5414 of 5428 #4568 of 5428
Median miles at test 5,604 17,460
MOT tests analysed 655 89,345
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 Kaisar KS 125-23 Honda CG125
Lights & signalling 32.7% 10.0%
Steering & suspension 22.4% 7.2%
Brakes 16.8% 5.1%
Tyres & wheels 11.5% 4.6%
Drive system 11.8% 2.6%
Structure & body 9.8% 1.9%
Fuel & exhaust 6.1% 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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Kaisar KS 125-23 Honda CG125
2010 54.5% 71.8%
2011 48.5% 70.6%
2012 53.0% 70.6%
2013 40.2% 69.4%
2014 37.6% 69.3%
2015 48.4% 70.9%
2016 42.4% 71.1%

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 Kaisar KS 125-23 Honda CG125
0k-10k miles 49.0% 79.3%
10k-20k miles 38.6% 73.0%

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

Kaisar KS 125-23 vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kaisar KS 125-23 or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Kaisar KS 125-23: 72.2% vs 46.7%, a 25.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -27.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Kaisar KS 125-23, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kaisar KS 125-23 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 32.7% of Kaisar KS 125-23 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (22.4%).

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%).

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