Honda CB125S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CB125S car check
Is the Honda CB125S reliable? We analysed 657 real MOT tests across 156 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CB125S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CB125S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicators not working, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and all position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CB125S.
Honda CB125S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CB125S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CB125S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CB125S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CB125S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CB125S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CB125S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CB125S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CB125S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CB125S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 243 | 85.2% | 13,139 | 19,374 | 25,866 |
| 1974 | 110 | 75.5% | 15,197 | 26,996 | 36,723 |
| 1973 | 135 | 84.4% | 9,134 | 17,605 | 28,380 |
| 1972 | 55 | 80.0% | 13,916 | 20,185 | 25,299 |
How Long Does a Honda CB125S Last?
Based on 156 Honda CB125S vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CB125S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CB125S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda CB125S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.2% MOT pass rate from 243 tests
75.5% MOT pass rate from 110 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CB125S is 1975, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.2% across 243 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CB125S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB125S THIS CAR | 81.3% | 657 | 18,510 mi | 54 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Maserati Levante GT Sport MHEV Auto | 90.5% | 253 | 28,338 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CB125S outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CB125S you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda CB125SShould you buy a used Honda CB125S?
The Honda CB125S has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.3% across 657 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda CB125S are direction indicators not working (17 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (12), and all position lamps do not illuminate immediately when switched on (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Honda CB125S owner drives around 196 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda CB125S models stay on UK roads for around 54 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.