HONDA MSX125 Grom
Pass rate over time
The MSX125 Grom's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.6 points since 2016, 90.3% to 85.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage MSX125 Grom passes first time 87.9% of the time; by 40k that's 64.6%.
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 MSX125 Grom
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
2,009 | 42.7 | 3.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
1,002 | 21.3 | 4.5× |
| brakes |
|
416 | 8.8 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
355 | 7.5 | 2.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
287 | 6.1 | 5.4× |
| suspension |
|
243 | 5.2 | 1.3× |
| steering |
|
235 | 5 | 2.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
104 | 2.2 | 0.1× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
30 | 0.6 | 0.2× |
| drive system |
|
27 | 0.6 | 0.1× |
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 MSX125 Grom 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 MSX125 Grom.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2022 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 2015 (83.4%).
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 MSX125 Grom FAQ
Is the HONDA MSX125 Grom reliable?
The HONDA MSX125 Grom is more reliable than average for its class: 84.7% of its 22,718 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2572 of 5426 models.
What does a MSX125 Grom fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 43% of all defects recorded against failed MSX125 Grom tests.
What is the best year of MSX125 Grom to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2022-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 2015 worst (83.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a MSX125 Grom last?
The median MSX125 Grom shows 4,559 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 64.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.