Honda XLR125R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda XLR125R car check
Is the Honda XLR125R reliable? We analysed 2,263 real MOT tests across 320 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda XLR125R? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda XLR125R is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, drive chain sprocket worn to excess and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda XLR125R.
Honda XLR125R Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda XLR125R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda XLR125R MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda XLR125R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda XLR125R Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda XLR125R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda XLR125R Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda XLR125R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda XLR125R MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda XLR125R year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 51 | 74.5% | 7,745 | 9,448 | 13,476 |
| 2002 | 139 | 77.7% | 8,667 | 14,655 | 20,906 |
| 2001 | 402 | 73.4% | 6,031 | 13,136 | 18,310 |
| 2000 | 221 | 73.3% | 7,838 | 12,847 | 17,354 |
| 1999 | 537 | 70.8% | 9,402 | 14,838 | 24,566 |
| 1998 | 685 | 74.2% | 8,644 | 12,993 | 21,414 |
| 1997 | 112 | 79.5% | 11,494 | 16,766 | 22,464 |
How Long Does a Honda XLR125R Last?
Based on 320 Honda XLR125R vehicles on UK roads.
Honda XLR125R Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda XLR125R 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 XLR125R
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.5% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
70.8% MOT pass rate from 537 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda XLR125R is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.5% across 112 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda XLR125R Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XLR125R THIS CAR | 73.6% | 2,263 | 13,569 mi | 29 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 |
| BMW 435D Xdrive M Sport Auto | 92.5% | 871 | 61,701 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda XLR125R trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda XLR125R 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 XLR125RShould you buy a used Honda XLR125R?
The Honda XLR125R has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.6% across 2,263 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Honda XLR125R are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (54 recorded failures), drive chain sprocket worn to excess (46), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (43). 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 XLR125R owner drives around 616 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 XLR125R models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.