Lifan LF 125-30 vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lifan LF 125-30: 73.3% vs 52.5%, a 20.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lifan LF 125-30	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	52.5%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	35.9%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-21.9 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5369 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,778	10,974
MOT tests analysed	537	84,425
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Lifan LF 125-30	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	27.4%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	18.2%	6.2%
Brakes	13.4%	6.8%
Structure & body	10.2%	4.1%
Drive system	8.9%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	3.7%	3.5%
Fuel & exhaust	3.9%	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	Lifan LF 125-30	Honda CBF125
2011	55.3%	69.3%
2012	63.9%	73.0%
2013	42.9%	73.5%
2014	48.1%	72.0%
2015	62.2%	71.8%

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	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	53.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	52.9%	68.7%

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

Lifan LF 125-30 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lifan LF 125-30 or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lifan LF 125-30: 73.3% vs 52.5%, a 20.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -21.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Lifan LF 125-30, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. 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 Honda CBF125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.0% of Honda CBF125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.8%).

LIFAN LF 125-30 52.5% pass · 537 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.