Keeway RKS 125 STD vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway RKS 125 STD: 73.3% vs 66.3%, a 7.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Keeway RKS 125 STD	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	66.3%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	24.5%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.8 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4954 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,906	10,974
MOT tests analysed	922	84,425
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Keeway RKS 125 STD	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	16.8%	8.0%
Brakes	9.0%	6.8%
Steering & suspension	9.5%	6.2%
Structure & body	10.2%	4.1%
Tyres & wheels	2.9%	3.5%
Drive system	0%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Keeway RKS 125 STD	Honda CBF125
2021	65.3%	72.6%
2022	70.9%	72.5%
2023	65.0%	74.4%
2024	63.9%	77.0%
2025	66.0%	79.0%

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	Keeway RKS 125 STD	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	68.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	58.4%	68.7%

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

Keeway RKS 125 STD vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Keeway RKS 125 STD or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway RKS 125 STD: 73.3% vs 66.3%, a 7.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -8.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Keeway RKS 125 STD, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Keeway RKS 125 STD fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 16.8% of Keeway RKS 125 STD MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (10.2%).

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%).

KEEWAY RKS 125 STD 66.3% pass · 922 tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests

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