Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA XR125
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 XR125's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.1 points since 2009, 62.1% to 60.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XR125 passes first time 67.9% of the time; by 30k that's 61.1%.
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 XR125
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
162 | 30.6 | 2.9× |
| brakes |
|
79 | 14.9 | 1.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
76 | 14.3 | 2.2× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
64 | 12.1 | 2.4× |
| drive system |
|
49 | 9.2 | 6.3× |
| structure and attachments |
|
32 | 6 | 3.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
26 | 4.9 | 1.5× |
| suspension |
|
21 | 4 | 3.0× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
11 | 2.1 | 1.5× |
| body and structure |
|
10 | 1.9 | 2.2× |
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 XR125 beats 0 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 XR125.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2004 (67.8%). Lowest: 2007 (51.0%). Every XR125 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 XR125 FAQ
Is the HONDA XR125 reliable?
The HONDA XR125 is less reliable than average for its class: 63.5% of its 768 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5086 of 5428 models.
What does a XR125 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 31% of all defects recorded against failed XR125 tests.
What is the best year of XR125 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (67.8%) and 2007 worst (51.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XR125 last?
The median XR125 shows 13,556 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 61.1% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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