BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Skyjet SJ 125-23/vs Gilera Runner
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Skyjet SJ 125-23 vs Gilera Runner

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Skyjet SJ 125-23: 70.8% vs 44.7%, a 26.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Skyjet SJ 125-23 Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate 44.7% 70.8%
Outright fail rate 44.7% 21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -29.6 pts -0.7 pts
Engine size 125cc 124cc
Rank among all models #5426 of 5428 #4675 of 5428
Median miles at test 6,185 11,381
MOT tests analysed 2,324 69,850
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 Skyjet SJ 125-23 Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling 31.2% 12.3%
Steering & suspension 23.8% 10.6%
Brakes 18.0% 7.2%
Tyres & wheels 10.8% 5.1%
Structure & body 11.7% 2.0%
Drive system 9.7% 0.0%
Fuel & exhaust 4.1% 2.6%

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 Skyjet SJ 125-23 Gilera Runner
2014 45.1% 70.6%
2015 47.2% 72.1%
2016 51.2% 73.3%
2017 47.2% 76.1%
2018 53.4% 77.2%
2019 59.0% 77.0%
2020 43.6% 75.8%
2021 48.5% 79.1%

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 Skyjet SJ 125-23 Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles 46.4% 76.2%
10k-20k miles 40.3% 67.5%
20k-30k miles 33.3% 65.4%

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

Skyjet SJ 125-23 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Skyjet SJ 125-23 or the Gilera Runner?

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Skyjet SJ 125-23: 70.8% vs 44.7%, a 26.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -29.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Skyjet SJ 125-23, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Skyjet SJ 125-23 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 31.2% of Skyjet SJ 125-23 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (23.8%).

What does the Gilera Runner fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 12.3% of Gilera Runner MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Skyjet SJ 125-23 or the Gilera Runner?

At 20k-30k miles the Gilera Runner passes first time more often: 33.3% for the Skyjet SJ 125-23 vs 65.4% for the Gilera Runner.

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