Por Apache 125 vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Por Apache 125: 73.3% vs 49.0%, a 24.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Por Apache 125	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	49.0%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	40.9%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-27.4 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5399 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,251	10,974
MOT tests analysed	545	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	Por Apache 125	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	29.7%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	27.9%	6.2%
Brakes	11.9%	6.8%
Tyres & wheels	12.7%	3.5%
Drive system	11.4%	2.0%
Structure & body	8.6%	4.1%
Fuel & exhaust	5.3%	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	Por Apache 125	Honda CBF125
2011	47.9%	69.3%
2012	50.6%	73.0%
2013	44.1%	73.5%
2014	43.1%	72.0%
2015	44.7%	71.8%

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	Por Apache 125	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	48.6%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	57.1%	68.7%

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

Por Apache 125 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Por Apache 125 or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Por Apache 125: 73.3% vs 49.0%, a 24.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -27.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Por Apache 125, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Por Apache 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 29.7% of Por Apache 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (27.9%).

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%).

POR APACHE 125 49.0% pass · 545 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.