Honda XL 125 V-4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XL 125 V-4 car check
Is the Honda XL 125 V-4 reliable? We analysed 3,504 real MOT tests across 301 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XL 125 V-4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XL 125 V-4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XL 125 V-4.
Honda XL 125 V-4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XL 125 V-4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XL 125 V-4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XL 125 V-4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XL 125 V-4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XL 125 V-4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XL 125 V-4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XL 125 V-4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XL 125 V-4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XL 125 V-4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 121 | 76.9% | 8,670 | 16,310 | 24,687 |
| 2004 | 2,950 | 76.7% | 10,362 | 17,457 | 26,352 |
| 2003 | 350 | 76.0% | 11,328 | 20,488 | 31,432 |
How Long Does a Honda XL 125 V-4 Last?
Based on 301 Honda XL 125 V-4 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XL 125 V-4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XL 125 V-4 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 XL 125 V-4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.9% MOT pass rate from 121 tests
76.0% MOT pass rate from 350 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XL 125 V-4 is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.9% across 121 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda XL 125 V-4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XL 125 V-4 THIS CAR | 76.7% | 3,504 | 17,641 mi | 23 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 |
| Audi Q3 S Line Black ED 35 TFSI | 90.7% | 2,547 | 27,770 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XL 125 V-4 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XL 125 V-4 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 XL 125 V-4Should you buy a used Honda XL 125 V-4?
The Honda XL 125 V-4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.7% across 3,504 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 XL 125 V-4 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (106 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (100), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (78). 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 XL 125 V-4 owner drives around 1,558 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 XL 125 V-4 models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.