Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA SH125I
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 SH125I's first-time pass rate has risen 2.0 points since 2011, 81.3% to 83.3%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SH125I passes first time 80.1% of the time; by 30k that's 69.0%.
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 SH125I
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
54 | 37 | 2.0× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
24 | 16.4 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
19 | 13 | 1.0× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
16 | 11 | 1.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
16 | 11 | 1.3× |
| tyres |
|
5 | 3.4 | 1.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 2.7 | 1.3× |
| driving controls |
|
3 | 2.1 | 2.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
3 | 2.1 | 0.8× |
| steering |
|
2 | 1.4 | 0.9× |
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 SH125I 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 SH125I.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2005 (82.4%). Lowest: 2009 (73.9%). Every SH125I 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 SH125I FAQ
Is the HONDA SH125I reliable?
The HONDA SH125I is more reliable than average for its class: 77.4% of its 523 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3999 of 5428 models.
What does a SH125I fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 37% of all defects recorded against failed SH125I tests.
What is the best year of SH125I to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (82.4%) and 2009 worst (73.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SH125I last?
The median SH125I shows 12,963 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 69.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
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