The picture
Cbf 125 M-A: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 466 MOT tests, the Cbf 125 M-A returns 74.9% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls. Tyre tread under the limit and stiff steering bearings round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 20,642, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released
12 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 02
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
10 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 03
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
10 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 04
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
8 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 05
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
7 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 06
A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn
7 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 07
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
6 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
6 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 09
Steering head bearings have excessive wear or play
5 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
5 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£158–£320
If every one of this Cbf 125 M A's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Cbf 125 M A?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Cbf 125 M A and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.