Yamaha MW vs Honda CBF125

The Yamaha MW passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 83.9% vs 73.3%, a 10.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha MW	Honda CBF125
First-time pass rate	83.9%	73.3%
Outright fail rate	12.6%	16.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+11.4 pts	+1.1 pts
Engine size	125cc	125cc
Rank among all models	#2767 of 5428	#4471 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,611	10,974
MOT tests analysed	2,638	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	Yamaha MW	Honda CBF125
Brakes	5.7%	6.8%
Lights & signalling	2.0%	8.0%
Steering & suspension	3.2%	6.2%
Tyres & wheels	5.8%	3.5%
Structure & body	1.4%	4.1%
Drive system	0%	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	Yamaha MW	Honda CBF125
2018	85.7%	72.3%
2019	83.9%	70.4%
2020	83.5%	72.1%
2021	86.0%	72.6%
2022	83.8%	72.5%
2023	81.3%	74.4%
2024	83.6%	77.0%
2025	82.2%	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	Yamaha MW	Honda CBF125
0k-10k miles	89.9%	80.3%
10k-20k miles	81.4%	68.7%
20k-30k miles	76.7%	65.5%
30k-40k miles	82.5%	63.9%
40k-50k miles	75.7%	67.6%
50k-60k miles	63.6%	67.4%

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

Yamaha MW vs Honda CBF125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha MW or the Honda CBF125?

The Yamaha MW passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBF125: 83.9% vs 73.3%, a 10.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha MW still comes out ahead: +11.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha MW, +1.1 for the Honda CBF125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha MW fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 5.8% of Yamaha MW MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.7%).

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 MW or the Honda CBF125?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda CBF125 passes first time more often: 63.6% for the Yamaha MW vs 67.4% for the Honda CBF125.

YAMAHA MW 83.9% pass · 2,638 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.