Yamaha DT 125 Re vs Honda CBF125

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha DT 125 Re: 73.3% vs 68.8%, a 4.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha DT 125 Re	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	68.8%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	19.8%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.7 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	124cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#4808 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,617	10,974
MOT tests analysed	510	84,425
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Yamaha DT 125 Re	Honda CBF125
Lights & signalling	10.2%	8.0%
Brakes	6.9%	6.8%
Tyres & wheels	10%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	6.7%	6.2%
Structure & body	2.2%	4.1%
Drive system	3.9%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	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	Yamaha DT 125 Re	Honda CBF125
2011	76.5%	69.3%
2012	64.4%	73.0%
2013	55.8%	73.5%
2014	71.1%	72.0%
2016	74.3%	72.2%

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	Yamaha DT 125 Re	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	72.5%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	66.3%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	65.9%	65.5%

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

Yamaha DT 125 Re vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha DT 125 Re or the Honda CBF125?

The Honda CBF125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha DT 125 Re: 73.3% vs 68.8%, a 4.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CBF125 still comes out ahead: -3.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha DT 125 Re, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha DT 125 Re fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.2% of Yamaha DT 125 Re MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (10%).

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 Yamaha DT 125 Re or the Honda CBF125?

They are level: at 20k-30k miles the Yamaha DT 125 Re passes 65.9% first time and the Honda CBF125 65.5%.

YAMAHA DT 125 RE 68.8% pass · 510 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.