Keeway RKV 125 vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway RKV 125: 73.3% vs 60.6%, a 12.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Keeway RKV 125	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	60.6%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	26.1%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-11.7 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5191 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,327	10,974
MOT tests analysed	648	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

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

Component	Keeway RKV 125	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	13.4%	8.0%
Brakes	13.1%	6.8%
Steering & suspension	11.4%	6.2%
Structure & body	7.9%	4.1%
Tyres & wheels	5.1%	3.5%
Drive system	5.6%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	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 RKV 125	Honda CBF125
2014	73.7%	72.0%
2015	60.4%	71.8%
2016	60.3%	72.2%
2017	57.4%	71.3%
2018	53.4%	72.3%
2019	55.2%	70.4%
2020	68.2%	72.1%
2021	59.5%	72.6%

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 RKV 125	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	62.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	54.4%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	67.3%	65.5%

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

Keeway RKV 125 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway RKV 125: 73.3% vs 60.6%, a 12.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -11.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Keeway RKV 125, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Keeway RKV 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 13.4% of Keeway RKV 125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (13.1%).

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 Keeway RKV 125 or the Honda CBF125?

At 20k-30k miles the Keeway RKV 125 passes first time more often: 67.3% for the Keeway RKV 125 vs 65.5% for the Honda CBF125.

KEEWAY RKV 125 60.6% pass · 648 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.