KSR Moto TW vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the KSR Moto TW: 72.2% vs 54.3%, a 17.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KSR Moto TW	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	54.3%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	33.1%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-22.4 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5349 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,068	17,460
MOT tests analysed	864	89,345
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	KSR Moto TW	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	23.1%	10.0%
Brakes	15.6%	5.1%
Steering & suspension	13.3%	7.2%
Structure & body	15.2%	1.9%
Tyres & wheels	8.7%	4.6%
Drive system	0.2%	2.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	KSR Moto TW	Honda CG125
2018	43.1%	72.6%
2019	50.0%	71.8%
2020	63.0%	73.6%
2021	58.5%	73.9%
2022	50.0%	73.5%
2023	49.6%	74.4%
2024	51.9%	73.0%
2025	56.9%	76.4%

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	KSR Moto TW	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	55.2%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	46.4%	73.0%
20k-30k miles	40.9%	68.3%

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

KSR Moto TW vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KSR Moto TW or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the KSR Moto TW: 72.2% vs 54.3%, a 17.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -22.4 points vs comparable bikes for the KSR Moto TW, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KSR Moto TW fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 23.1% of KSR Moto TW MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (15.6%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KSR Moto TW or the Honda CG125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 40.9% for the KSR Moto TW vs 68.3% for the Honda CG125.

KSR Moto TW 54.3% pass · 864 tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests

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