Urban DZ 125 vs Gilera Runner

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Urban DZ 125: 70.8% vs 51.6%, a 19.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Urban DZ 125	Gilera Runner
First-time pass rate	51.6%	70.8%
Outright fail rate	37.6%	21.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-25.2 pts	-0.7 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5385 of 5428	#4675 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,448	11,381
MOT tests analysed	768	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	Urban DZ 125	Gilera Runner
Lights & signalling	28.3%	12.3%
Steering & suspension	20.3%	10.6%
Brakes	9.4%	7.2%
Tyres & wheels	11.1%	5.1%
Structure & body	6.0%	2.0%
Drive system	7.3%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	3.4%	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	Urban DZ 125	Gilera Runner
2010	52.8%	67.9%
2011	52.2%	67.6%
2012	46.2%	69.5%
2013	40.8%	69.5%
2014	51.6%	70.6%
2015	66.1%	72.1%
2016	38.3%	73.3%
2017	64.9%	76.1%

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	Urban DZ 125	Gilera Runner
0k-10k miles	52.5%	76.2%
10k-20k miles	45.7%	67.5%

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

Urban DZ 125 vs Gilera Runner FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Urban DZ 125 or the Gilera Runner?

The Gilera Runner passes its MOT first time more often than the Urban DZ 125: 70.8% vs 51.6%, a 19.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Gilera Runner still comes out ahead: -25.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Urban DZ 125, -0.7 for the Gilera Runner. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Urban DZ 125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 28.3% of Urban DZ 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (20.3%).

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%).

URBAN DZ 125 51.6% pass · 768 tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

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