HONDA XLR125R

124cc Petrol Class 1

#5006 of 5426 overall #909 of 921 HONDAs #517 of 734 commuter bikes

65.2%

first-time pass rate

22.4%

failed outright

13,047

median miles at test

1,662

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The XLR125R's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.8 points since 2005, 68.3% to 62.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XLR125R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage XLR125R passes first time 74.3% of the time; by 30k that's 60.5%.

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 XLR125R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	401	32.7	3.2×
brakes	245	20	2.3×
steering and suspension	173	14.1	2.6×
drive system	137	11.2	6.4×
tyres and wheels	95	7.7	2.3×
lamps and reflectors	56	4.6	1.2×
fuel and exhaust	38	3.1	2.6×
body and structure	32	2.6	3.4×
reg plates and vin	26	2.1	2.5×
driving controls	25	2	5.6×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XLR125R beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k tests

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 XLR125R.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1997 (75.0% pass). Weakest: 1999 (60.6%).

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 XLR125R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HONDA XLR125R reliable?

The HONDA XLR125R is less reliable than average for its class: 65.2% of its 1,662 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5006 of 5426 models.

What does a XLR125R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed XLR125R tests.

What is the best year of XLR125R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (75.0%) and 1999 worst (60.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XLR125R last?

The median XLR125R shows 13,047 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 60.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.