Suzuki FL125 vs Honda CBF125

The Suzuki FL125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 84.5% vs 73.3%, a 11.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki FL125	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	84.5%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	10.5%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+11.3 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#2613 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,987	10,974
MOT tests analysed	611	84,425
Most common failure	brakes	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	Suzuki FL125	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	4.6%	8.0%
Brakes	5.2%	6.8%
Steering & suspension	1.8%	6.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.9%	3.5%
Structure & body	1.3%	4.1%
Drive system	1.1%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	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	Suzuki FL125	Honda CBF125
2012	69.5%	73.0%
2013	87.1%	73.5%
2014	82.1%	72.0%
2015	82.1%	71.8%
2016	80.3%	72.2%
2017	84.4%	71.3%
2018	82.1%	72.3%
2019	80.0%	70.4%

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	Suzuki FL125	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	90.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	75.8%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	66.7%	65.5%

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

Suzuki FL125 vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki FL125 or the Honda CBF125?

The Suzuki FL125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 84.5% vs 73.3%, a 11.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki FL125 still comes out ahead: +11.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki FL125, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki FL125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.2% of Suzuki FL125 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (4.6%).

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 Suzuki FL125 or the Honda CBF125?

At 20k-30k miles the Suzuki FL125 passes first time more often: 66.7% for the Suzuki FL125 vs 65.5% for the Honda CBF125.

SUZUKI FL125 84.5% pass · 611 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.