Honda CM125C Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda CM125C car check
Is the Honda CM125C reliable? We analysed 3,993 real MOT tests across 787 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda CM125C? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda CM125C is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, footrest missing and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda CM125C.
Honda CM125C Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda CM125C. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda CM125C MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda CM125C to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda CM125C Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda CM125C fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda CM125C Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda CM125C owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda CM125C MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda CM125C year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 266 | 79.7% | 3,986 | 8,682 | 16,622 |
| 1986 | 236 | 71.6% | 20,036 | 31,548 | 38,352 |
| 1985 | 839 | 73.7% | 17,625 | 26,195 | 38,834 |
| 1984 | 821 | 74.2% | 17,347 | 26,412 | 38,181 |
| 1983 | 980 | 74.6% | 18,166 | 27,326 | 35,144 |
| 1982 | 650 | 71.2% | 16,190 | 24,800 | 33,828 |
How Long Does a Honda CM125C Last?
Based on 787 Honda CM125C vehicles on UK roads.
Honda CM125C Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda CM125C 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 CM125C
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.7% MOT pass rate from 266 tests
71.2% MOT pass rate from 650 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda CM125C is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.7% across 266 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda CM125C Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CM125C THIS CAR | 74.2% | 3,993 | 25,633 mi | 44 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 |
| Mitsubishi L200 Challenger Di-d | 86.8% | 1,540 | 49,295 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda CM125C sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda CM125C 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 CM125CShould you buy a used Honda CM125C?
The Honda CM125C has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.2% across 3,993 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Honda CM125C are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (92 recorded failures), footrest missing (62), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (62). 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 CM125C owner drives around 435 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 CM125C models stay on UK roads for around 44 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.