Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van vs Honda CBF125

The Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 85.4% vs 73.3%, a 12.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	85.4%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	6.6%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+11.5 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#2385 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,122	10,974
MOT tests analysed	512	84,425
Most common failure	structure and attachments	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 RV 125 L3 Van Van	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	2.0%	8.0%
Brakes	2.1%	6.8%
Steering & suspension	2.0%	6.2%
Structure & body	3.3%	4.1%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	3.5%
Drive system	0.6%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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 RV 125 L3 Van Van	Honda CBF125
2018	82.4%	72.3%
2019	84.4%	70.4%
2020	85.7%	72.1%
2021	88.7%	72.6%
2022	85.1%	72.5%
2023	82.4%	74.4%
2024	82.9%	77.0%
2025	82.1%	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	Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	87.1%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	83.3%	68.7%

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

Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van or the Honda CBF125?

The Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 85.4% vs 73.3%, a 12.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van still comes out ahead: +11.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van fail its MOT on most?

Structure & body: 3.3% of Suzuki RV 125 L3 Van Van MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.1%).

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%).

SUZUKI RV 125 L3 VAN VAN 85.4% pass · 512 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.