Honda XL125V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XL125V car check
Is the Honda XL125V reliable? We analysed 34,334 real MOT tests across 2,948 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XL125V? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XL125V is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and drive chain excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XL125V.
Honda XL125V Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XL125V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XL125V MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XL125V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XL125V Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XL125V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XL125V Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XL125V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XL125V MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XL125V year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 197 | 82.7% | 6,855 | 16,801 | 25,077 |
| 2011 | 313 | 78.3% | 7,709 | 12,954 | 19,349 |
| 2010 | 690 | 81.4% | 7,880 | 14,834 | 24,635 |
| 2009 | 878 | 78.7% | 9,943 | 17,080 | 26,459 |
| 2008 | 2,466 | 80.8% | 8,291 | 15,062 | 23,999 |
| 2007 | 2,389 | 79.4% | 8,155 | 14,781 | 24,795 |
| 2006 | 3,192 | 77.4% | 9,168 | 15,998 | 24,807 |
| 2005 | 6,906 | 77.5% | 9,650 | 16,742 | 25,813 |
| 2004 | 3,257 | 77.4% | 9,657 | 16,151 | 25,760 |
| 2003 | 5,743 | 75.7% | 9,369 | 16,764 | 25,866 |
| 2002 | 4,931 | 74.4% | 11,696 | 19,578 | 29,011 |
| 2001 | 3,297 | 74.9% | 11,185 | 18,310 | 27,299 |
How Long Does a Honda XL125V Last?
Based on 2,948 Honda XL125V vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XL125V Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XL125V 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 XL125V
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.7% MOT pass rate from 197 tests
74.4% MOT pass rate from 4,931 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XL125V is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.7% across 197 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda XL125V Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XL125V THIS CAR | 77.0% | 34,334 | 16,776 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 |
| Triumph Thruxton | 90.5% | 30,642 | 6,411 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XL125V sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XL125V 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 XL125VShould you buy a used Honda XL125V?
The Honda XL125V has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.0% across 34,334 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 XL125V are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (966 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (805), and drive chain excessively loose (627). 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 XL125V owner drives around 1,463 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 XL125V 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.