Honda NSR125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda NSR125 car check
Is the Honda NSR125 reliable? We analysed 18,589 real MOT tests across 2,846 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda NSR125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda NSR125 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda NSR125.
Honda NSR125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda NSR125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda NSR125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda NSR125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda NSR125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda NSR125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda NSR125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda NSR125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda NSR125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda NSR125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 131 | 64.9% | 19,975 | 27,624 | 34,822 |
| 2005 | 395 | 72.4% | 14,748 | 22,829 | 31,608 |
| 2004 | 607 | 72.5% | 11,921 | 20,176 | 29,317 |
| 2003 | 2,821 | 71.1% | 8,572 | 13,912 | 20,636 |
| 2002 | 4,278 | 70.5% | 9,930 | 15,845 | 23,499 |
| 2001 | 3,874 | 69.3% | 11,268 | 17,346 | 25,104 |
| 2000 | 1,940 | 69.2% | 11,198 | 17,202 | 24,894 |
| 1999 | 1,050 | 66.6% | 13,252 | 19,696 | 26,031 |
| 1998 | 831 | 67.7% | 13,137 | 20,637 | 28,914 |
| 1997 | 316 | 69.0% | 14,434 | 21,733 | 29,217 |
| 1996 | 100 | 62.0% | 15,244 | 25,055 | 33,812 |
| 1995 | 236 | 72.0% | 16,818 | 24,170 | 30,479 |
| 1994 | 298 | 67.4% | 17,271 | 23,822 | 31,620 |
| 1993 | 385 | 66.0% | 17,190 | 24,011 | 35,380 |
| 1992 | 363 | 64.7% | 15,512 | 19,790 | 26,314 |
| 1991 | 298 | 66.1% | 14,046 | 19,635 | 28,108 |
| 1990 | 357 | 68.1% | 14,278 | 20,927 | 29,916 |
| 1989 | 51 | 72.5% | 17,532 | 25,841 | 32,983 |
How Long Does a Honda NSR125 Last?
Based on 2,846 Honda NSR125 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda NSR125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda NSR125 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 NSR125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
72.5% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
62.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda NSR125 is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.5% across 51 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda NSR125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda NSR125 THIS CAR | 69.5% | 18,589 | 17,581 mi | 36 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 |
| Rolls Royce Silver Spirit | 79.1% | 34,506 | 71,622 mi | 47 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda NSR125 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda NSR125 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 NSR125Should you buy a used Honda NSR125?
The Honda NSR125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.5% across 18,589 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Honda NSR125 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (1,008 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (749), and reflector on motorcycle missing (666). 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 NSR125 owner drives around 1,130 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 NSR125 models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.