KTM 125 Exc vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 125 Exc: 72.2% vs 67.1%, a 5.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 125 Exc	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	67.1%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	20.4%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.1 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4902 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,966	17,460
MOT tests analysed	2,044	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	KTM 125 Exc	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	14.3%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	8.7%	7.2%
Brakes	5.4%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	5.2%	4.6%
Drive system	2.6%	2.6%
Structure & body	1.3%	1.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.8%	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	KTM 125 Exc	Honda CG125
2018	69.3%	72.6%
2019	71.4%	71.8%
2020	65.4%	73.6%
2021	76.5%	73.9%
2022	66.2%	73.5%
2023	74.0%	74.4%
2024	77.1%	73.0%
2025	74.2%	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	KTM 125 Exc	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	69.4%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	62.9%	73.0%

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

KTM 125 Exc vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 125 Exc or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 125 Exc: 72.2% vs 67.1%, a 5.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -9.1 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 125 Exc, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 125 Exc fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 14.3% of KTM 125 Exc MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.7%).

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%).

KTM 125 EXC 67.1% pass · 2,044 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.