Suzuki RV vs Honda CG125

The Suzuki RV passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 86.8% vs 72.2%, a 14.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki RV	Honda CG125
First-time pass rate	86.8%	72.2%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+11.1 pts	+0.7 pts
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#1962 of 5428	#4568 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,417	17,460
MOT tests analysed	4,900	89,345
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Suzuki RV	Honda CG125
Lights & signalling	2.7%	10.0%
Steering & suspension	2.1%	7.2%
Brakes	1.5%	5.1%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	4.6%
Structure & body	1.9%	1.9%
Drive system	0.2%	2.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.9%

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	Honda CG125
2018	83.3%	72.6%
2019	87.6%	71.8%
2020	89.4%	73.6%
2021	85.5%	73.9%
2022	88.5%	73.5%
2023	86.3%	74.4%
2024	86.9%	73.0%
2025	88.2%	76.4%

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 RV	Honda CG125
0k-10k miles	89.4%	79.3%
10k-20k miles	81.7%	73.0%
20k-30k miles	82.4%	68.3%
30k-40k miles	74.2%	66.4%
40k-50k miles	79.2%	66.2%

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

Suzuki RV vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki RV or the Honda CG125?

The Suzuki RV passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CG125: 86.8% vs 72.2%, a 14.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki RV still comes out ahead: +11.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki RV, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki RV fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.7% of Suzuki RV MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.1%).

What does the Honda CG125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.0% of Honda CG125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Suzuki RV or the Honda CG125?

At 40k-50k miles the Suzuki RV passes first time more often: 79.2% for the Suzuki RV vs 66.2% for the Honda CG125.

SUZUKI RV 86.8% pass · 4,900 tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests

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