MBK Thunder vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Thunder: 72.2% vs 71.7%, a 0.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MBK Thunder	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	71.7%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	23.7%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.8 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4602 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,660	17,460
MOT tests analysed	519	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 Thunder	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	13.9%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	11.4%	7.2%
Brakes	9.1%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	5.6%	4.6%
Structure & body	2.1%	1.9%
Drive system	0%	2.6%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	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	MBK Thunder	Honda CG125
2006	77.2%	76.2%
2007	71.2%	74.3%
2008	73.0%	73.3%
2009	68.4%	71.1%
2010	75.5%	71.8%
2011	68.2%	70.6%
2012	66.7%	70.6%

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 Thunder	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	74.1%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	73.8%	73.0%
20k-30k miles	59.5%	68.3%

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

MBK Thunder vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Thunder: 72.2% vs 71.7%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -0.8 points vs comparable bikes for the MBK Thunder, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MBK Thunder fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 13.9% of MBK Thunder MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (11.4%).

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 Thunder or the Honda CG125?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda CG125 passes first time more often: 59.5% for the MBK Thunder vs 68.3% for the Honda CG125.

MBK THUNDER 71.7% pass · 519 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.