Neco Alex One vs Honda CG125

The Neco Alex One passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 72.7% vs 72.2%, a 0.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Neco Alex One	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	72.7%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	21.4%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.7 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4523 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,260	17,460
MOT tests analysed	542	89,345
Most common failure	brakes	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	Neco Alex One	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	9.4%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	10.3%	7.2%
Brakes	11.1%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	3.1%	4.6%
Structure & body	4.1%	1.9%
Drive system	0%	2.6%
Fuel & exhaust	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	Neco Alex One	Honda CG125
2020	83.9%	73.6%
2021	60.4%	73.9%
2022	76.7%	73.5%
2023	67.3%	74.4%
2024	70.3%	73.0%
2025	78.9%	76.4%

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	Neco Alex One	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	74.9%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	66.4%	73.0%

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

Neco Alex One vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Neco Alex One or the Honda CG125?

The Neco Alex One passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 72.7% vs 72.2%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -2.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Neco Alex One, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Neco Alex One fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 11.1% of Neco Alex One MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.3%).

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%).

NECO ALEX ONE 72.7% pass · 542 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.