Honda SH125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda SH125 car check
Is the Honda SH125 reliable? We analysed 21,983 real MOT tests across 2,406 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda SH125? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda SH125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and brake lever has inadequate reserve travel. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda SH125.
Honda SH125 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda SH125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda SH125 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda SH125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda SH125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda SH125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda SH125 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda SH125 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda SH125 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda SH125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda SH125 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda SH125 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 93 | 83.9% | 6,408 | 16,632 | 42,132 |
| 2013 | 62 | 85.5% | 8,668 | 17,629 | 59,364 |
| 2012 | 417 | 84.4% | 8,966 | 16,191 | 30,700 |
| 2011 | 1,003 | 84.3% | 7,210 | 13,845 | 24,524 |
| 2010 | 938 | 82.0% | 7,876 | 14,968 | 28,538 |
| 2009 | 1,538 | 83.1% | 8,584 | 15,226 | 26,717 |
| 2008 | 2,223 | 82.3% | 9,047 | 15,884 | 25,641 |
| 2007 | 2,502 | 82.2% | 8,769 | 15,336 | 25,913 |
| 2006 | 2,389 | 81.8% | 7,892 | 14,168 | 23,672 |
| 2005 | 1,545 | 82.5% | 8,586 | 14,499 | 23,598 |
| 2004 | 1,940 | 83.4% | 7,106 | 12,034 | 19,899 |
| 2003 | 2,259 | 81.5% | 7,800 | 13,926 | 22,324 |
| 2002 | 3,530 | 81.2% | 8,930 | 15,421 | 24,448 |
| 2001 | 1,319 | 82.3% | 9,532 | 16,078 | 24,194 |
How Long Does a Honda SH125 Last?
Based on 2,406 Honda SH125 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda SH125 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda SH125 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 SH125
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.5% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
81.2% MOT pass rate from 3,530 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda SH125 is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.5% across 62 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda SH125 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda SH125 THIS CAR | 82.3% | 21,983 | 14,717 mi | 25 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 |
| Isuzu Trucks Nkr 77 Turbo Electric Di | 71.2% | 26,596 | 91,036 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda SH125 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda SH125 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 SH125Should you buy a used Honda SH125?
The Honda SH125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 21,983 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 SH125 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (489 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (293), and brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (235). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda SH125 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Honda SH125 owner drives around 1,394 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 SH125 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.