Lifan LF 125-J vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lifan LF 125-J: 73.3% vs 56.3%, a 17.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lifan LF 125-J	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	56.3%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	29.1%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-17.1 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5315 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,170	10,974
MOT tests analysed	1,290	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-J	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	23.3%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	10.7%	6.2%
Brakes	8.8%	6.8%
Drive system	7.6%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	5.4%	3.5%
Structure & body	4.3%	4.1%
Fuel & exhaust	2.3%	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-J	Honda CBF125
2011	54.0%	69.3%
2012	54.4%	73.0%
2013	61.2%	73.5%
2014	54.2%	72.0%
2015	55.7%	71.8%
2016	53.4%	72.2%
2017	62.5%	71.3%

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-J	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	58.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	52.1%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	53.2%	65.5%

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

Lifan LF 125-J vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Lifan LF 125-J: 73.3% vs 56.3%, a 17.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -17.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Lifan LF 125-J, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 23.3% of Lifan LF 125-J MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.7%).

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 Lifan LF 125-J or the Honda CBF125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 53.2% for the Lifan LF 125-J vs 65.5% for the Honda CBF125.

LIFAN LF 125-J 56.3% pass · 1,290 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.