MBK Skyliner vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Skyliner: 72.2% vs 65.9%, a 6.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MBK Skyliner	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	65.9%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	25.2%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-4.3 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4974 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,822	17,460
MOT tests analysed	763	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	MBK Skyliner	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	11.8%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	11.0%	7.2%
Brakes	11.9%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	8.5%	4.6%
Fuel & exhaust	2.5%	0.9%
Drive system	0%	2.6%
Structure & body	0.7%	1.9%

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	MBK Skyliner	Honda CG125
2008	68.2%	73.3%
2009	62.0%	71.1%
2010	61.3%	71.8%
2011	67.2%	70.6%
2012	76.5%	70.6%
2013	48.9%	69.4%
2014	52.5%	69.3%
2015	70.0%	70.9%

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	MBK Skyliner	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	74.0%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	58.9%	73.0%
20k-30k miles	65.7%	68.3%
30k-40k miles	59.1%	66.4%

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

MBK Skyliner vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MBK Skyliner or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Skyliner: 72.2% vs 65.9%, a 6.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -4.3 points vs comparable bikes for the MBK Skyliner, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MBK Skyliner fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 11.9% of MBK Skyliner MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (11.8%).

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 MBK Skyliner or the Honda CG125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 59.1% for the MBK Skyliner vs 66.4% for the Honda CG125.

MBK SKYLINER 65.9% pass · 763 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.