BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ MZ ETZ125/vs Gilera Runner
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

MZ ETZ125 vs Gilera Runner

The MZ ETZ125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 77.6% vs 70.8%, a 6.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric MZ ETZ125 Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate 77.6% 70.8%
Outright fail rate 13.5% 21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +2.5 pts -0.7 pts
Engine size 123cc 124cc
Rank among all models #3965 of 5428 #4675 of 5428
Median miles at test 17,901 11,381
MOT tests analysed 1,000 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 MZ ETZ125 Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling 7.4% 12.3%
Steering & suspension 4.5% 10.6%
Brakes 5.4% 7.2%
Tyres & wheels 3.5% 5.1%
Fuel & exhaust 1.1% 2.6%
Structure & body 1.6% 2.0%
Drive system 0.1% 0.0%

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 MZ ETZ125 Gilera Runner
2011 74.2% 67.6%
2012 71.4% 69.5%
2013 71.9% 69.5%
2014 82.4% 70.6%
2015 79.6% 72.1%
2016 78.9% 73.3%
2017 79.5% 76.1%
2018 93.8% 77.2%

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 MZ ETZ125 Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles 79.4% 76.2%
10k-20k miles 79.3% 67.5%
20k-30k miles 76.0% 65.4%
30k-40k miles 75.8% 67.2%
40k-50k miles 72.3% 68.1%
50k-60k miles 70.2% 67.8%

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

MZ ETZ125 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ ETZ125 or the Gilera Runner?

The MZ ETZ125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera Runner: 77.6% vs 70.8%, a 6.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ ETZ125 still comes out ahead: +2.5 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ ETZ125, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ ETZ125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.4% of MZ ETZ125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.4%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the MZ ETZ125 or the Gilera Runner?

At 50k-60k miles the MZ ETZ125 passes first time more often: 70.2% for the MZ ETZ125 vs 67.8% for the Gilera Runner.

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