MZ TS125 vs Honda CG125

The MZ TS125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 83.4% vs 72.2%, a 11.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MZ TS125	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	83.4%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	8.5%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.0 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	123cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#2868 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,302	17,460
MOT tests analysed	968	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	MZ TS125	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	5.5%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	2.8%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	4.6%
Brakes	1.9%	5.1%
Drive system	0.2%	2.6%
Structure & body	0.9%	1.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	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	MZ TS125	Honda CG125
2012	86.2%	70.6%
2013	79.7%	69.4%
2014	84.5%	69.3%
2015	84.4%	70.9%
2016	87.5%	71.1%
2017	85.7%	72.7%
2018	80.0%	72.6%
2021	84.4%	73.9%

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	MZ TS125	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	81.4%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	83.0%	73.0%
20k-30k miles	87.4%	68.3%
30k-40k miles	83.9%	66.4%

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

MZ TS125 vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MZ TS125 or the Honda CG125?

The MZ TS125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 83.4% vs 72.2%, a 11.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the MZ TS125 still comes out ahead: +4.0 points vs comparable bikes for the MZ TS125, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MZ TS125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.5% of MZ TS125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.8%).

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 MZ TS125 or the Honda CG125?

At 30k-40k miles the MZ TS125 passes first time more often: 83.9% for the MZ TS125 vs 66.4% for the Honda CG125.

MZ TS125 83.4% pass · 968 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.