Pulse XF vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pulse XF: 73.3% vs 57.2%, a 16.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Pulse XF	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	57.2%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	32.6%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-15.7 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#5303 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,642	10,974
MOT tests analysed	2,063	84,425
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Pulse XF	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	22.1%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	18.0%	6.2%
Brakes	14.5%	6.8%
Structure & body	13.0%	4.1%
Tyres & wheels	6.1%	3.5%
Drive system	2.9%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.7%	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	Pulse XF	Honda CBF125
2018	58.3%	72.3%
2019	48.8%	70.4%
2020	60.3%	72.1%
2021	60.6%	72.6%
2022	53.3%	72.5%
2023	60.2%	74.4%
2024	66.3%	77.0%
2025	57.9%	79.0%

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	Pulse XF	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	60.0%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	56.2%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	46.8%	65.5%
30k-40k miles	56.4%	63.9%

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

Pulse XF vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Pulse XF or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Pulse XF: 73.3% vs 57.2%, a 16.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -15.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Pulse XF, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Pulse XF fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 22.1% of Pulse XF MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (18.0%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Pulse XF or the Honda CBF125?

At 30k-40k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 56.4% for the Pulse XF vs 63.9% for the Honda CBF125.

PULSE XF 57.2% pass · 2,063 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.