Honda FES125 MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda FES125 motorcycles pass the MOT 71.58% of the time, measured across 278 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.4% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 29.7% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and has a serious fluid leak, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is has a serious fluid leak (13.3% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 28,378 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-15 years | 66.15% | 65 | |
| 16+ years | 73.33% | 210 |
Why the Honda FES125 fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 29.7% | 19 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 29.7% | 19 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 26.6% | 17 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 21.9% | 14 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 18.8% | 12 | |
| 6 | Contaminated | 9.4% | 6 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 9.4% | 6 | |
| 8 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 7.8% | 5 | |
| 9 | Not working on dipped beam | 6.3% | 4 | |
| 10 | Significantly and obviously worn | 6.3% | 4 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Has a serious fluid leak | 13.3% | 37 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 7.9% | 22 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 7.6% | 21 | |
| 4 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 5.4% | 15 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 5% | 14 | |
| 6 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 4% | 11 | |
| 7 | Corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | 3.2% | 9 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 3.2% | 9 | |
| 9 | Has negligible damping effect | 2.9% | 8 | |
| 10 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 2.5% | 7 |
Honda FES125 for sale
No Honda FES125 in stock at the moment - 74 other Honda bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha GPD125-A NMAX 125 · 125cc | 8,762 | 80.8% | 45,039 | |
| Piaggio VESPA 79-210cc · 79-210cc | 8,363 | 85.42% | 11,710 | |
| Honda WW · 125cc | 7,252 | 80.32% | 40,134 | |
| Honda WW 125 A-M · 125cc | 5,011 | 84.06% | 29,846 | |
| Honda GLR · 125cc | 4,737 | 79.99% | 14,642 | |
| Honda CBF 100-125cc · 100-125cc | 3,204 | 77% | 15,203 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method