Honda SH125 MOT pass rate and common failures
Honda SH125 motorcycles pass the MOT 82.13% of the time, measured across 319 tests in the DVSA record. A further 7.21% 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 excessively binding - it accounts for 26.5% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls and inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is has a serious fluid leak (6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 24,792 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 | 82.56% | 86 | |
| 16+ years | 82.94% | 211 |
Why the Honda SH125 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 | Excessively binding | 26.5% | 9 | |
| 2 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 23.5% | 8 | |
| 3 | Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 23.5% | 8 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 14.7% | 5 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 7 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 8 | Not working | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 9 | Has insufficient reserve travel | 8.8% | 3 | |
| 10 | Not working on dipped beam | 8.8% | 3 |
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 | 6% | 19 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5% | 16 | |
| 3 | Is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied | 4.4% | 14 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.1% | 10 | |
| 5 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 2.5% | 8 | |
| 6 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 2.5% | 8 | |
| 7 | Significantly and obviously worn | 2.5% | 8 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 1.9% | 6 | |
| 9 | Is so short that the brake cannot be readily applied | 1.9% | 6 | |
| 10 | Corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | 1.6% | 5 |
Honda SH125 for sale
No Honda SH125 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