Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro: 73.3% vs 57.7%, a 15.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	57.7%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	29.4%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-17.4 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5285 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,835	10,974
MOT tests analysed	766	84,425
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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	Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	16.7%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	17.1%	6.2%
Brakes	7.8%	6.8%
Structure & body	8.1%	4.1%
Drive system	8.1%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	4.0%	3.5%
Fuel & exhaust	5.5%	0.1%

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	Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro	Honda CBF125
2014	54.7%	72.0%
2015	58.0%	71.8%
2016	56.5%	72.2%
2017	53.8%	71.3%
2018	63.8%	72.3%
2019	61.0%	70.4%
2020	70.0%	72.1%
2021	70.0%	72.6%

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	Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	59.7%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	50.9%	68.7%

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

Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro: 73.3% vs 57.7%, a 15.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -17.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 17.1% of Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (16.7%).

What does the Honda CBF125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.0% of Honda CBF125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.8%).

PIONEER XF 125 L-4B TORRO 57.7% pass · 766 tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests

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