BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Lifan LF 125-30/vs Gilera Runner
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Lifan LF 125-30 vs Gilera Runner

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Lifan LF 125-30: 70.8% vs 52.5%, a 18.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Lifan LF 125-30 Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate 52.5% 70.8%
Outright fail rate 35.9% 21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -21.9 pts -0.7 pts
Engine size 125cc 124cc
Rank among all models #5369 of 5428 #4675 of 5428
Median miles at test 5,778 11,381
MOT tests analysed 537 69,850
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 Lifan LF 125-30 Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling 27.4% 12.3%
Steering & suspension 18.2% 10.6%
Brakes 13.4% 7.2%
Structure & body 10.2% 2.0%
Drive system 8.9% 0.0%
Tyres & wheels 3.7% 5.1%
Fuel & exhaust 3.9% 2.6%

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 Lifan LF 125-30 Gilera Runner
2010 45.3% 67.9%
2011 55.3% 67.6%
2012 63.9% 69.5%
2013 42.9% 69.5%
2014 48.1% 70.6%
2015 62.2% 72.1%

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 Lifan LF 125-30 Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles 53.1% 76.2%
10k-20k miles 52.9% 67.5%

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

Lifan LF 125-30 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lifan LF 125-30 or the Gilera Runner?

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Lifan LF 125-30: 70.8% vs 52.5%, a 18.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -21.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Lifan LF 125-30, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lifan LF 125-30 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 27.4% of Lifan LF 125-30 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (18.2%).

What does the Gilera Runner fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Gilera Runner MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.6%).

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