BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro: 72.2% vs 57.7%, a 14.5-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 CG125
First-time pass rate 57.7% 72.2%
Outright fail rate 29.4% 16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -17.4 pts +0.7 pts
Engine size 124cc 124cc
Rank among all models #5285 of 5428 #4568 of 5428
Median miles at test 5,835 17,460
MOT tests analysed 766 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 Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro Honda CG125
Lights & signalling 16.7% 10.0%
Steering & suspension 17.1% 7.2%
Brakes 7.8% 5.1%
Drive system 8.1% 2.6%
Structure & body 8.1% 1.9%
Tyres & wheels 4.0% 4.6%
Fuel & exhaust 5.5% 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 Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro Honda CG125
2014 54.7% 69.3%
2015 58.0% 70.9%
2016 56.5% 71.1%
2017 53.8% 72.7%
2018 63.8% 72.6%
2019 61.0% 71.8%
2020 70.0% 73.6%
2021 70.0% 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 Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro Honda CG125
0k-10k miles 59.7% 79.3%
10k-20k miles 50.9% 73.0%

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

Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro vs Honda CG125 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 CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro: 72.2% vs 57.7%, a 14.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -17.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Pioneer XF 125 L-4B Torro, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. 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 CG125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.0% of Honda CG125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.2%).

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