Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA FSH 125-M
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The FSH 125-M's first-time pass rate has fallen 10.2 points since 2023, 91.2% to 81.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FSH 125-M passes first time 92.7% of the time; by 50k that's 66.2%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a FSH 125-M
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
119 | 35.1 | 4.3× |
| brakes |
|
101 | 29.8 | 1.3× |
| tyres |
|
76 | 22.4 | 8.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
15 | 4.4 | 1.7× |
| suspension |
|
13 | 3.8 | 1.4× |
| steering |
|
11 | 3.2 | 2.2× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
4 | 1.2 | 1.1× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the FSH 125-M beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the FSH 125-M.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2022 (84.6%). Lowest: 2023 (75.7%). Every FSH 125-M year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA FSH 125-M FAQ
Is the HONDA FSH 125-M reliable?
The HONDA FSH 125-M is more reliable than average for its class: 82.2% of its 1,195 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3145 of 5428 models.
What does a FSH 125-M fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 35% of all defects recorded against failed FSH 125-M tests.
What is the best year of FSH 125-M to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2022-registered examples do best (84.6%) and 2023 worst (75.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a FSH 125-M last?
The median FSH 125-M shows 15,574 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 66.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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