Honda Ca125 (1996)

111 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.7% first-time pass rate

1996 Honda Ca125

CarHunch analysed 111 real MOT records for the 1996 Honda Ca125. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1996 Honda CA125 falls just shy of the UK average with a 77.7% first-time pass rate—a marginal 2.3 percentage point deficit that reflects typical age-related wear rather than systemic unreliability. Eighteen percent of these bikes have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which isn't alarming but worth noting if you're buying one without a recent MOT.

These machines show moderate mileage for their age at around 17,900 miles on average, suggesting they've been ridden fairly gently, yet they still accumulate 1.84 failures and 5 advisories per test on average—a pattern typical of older small-capacity bikes where minor corrosion and wear compound over time. Before purchasing, request the full MOT history and have a mechanic inspect the exhaust, brakes, and chain, as these tend to be the repeat failure points in this cohort.

Average reliability 2.3% below UK average
77.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
16,939
typical mileage
11,303–23,198 middle half
18%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.84
avg MOT failures per car
over 7.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1996 Honda Ca125

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Honda Ca125

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 Honda Ca125 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

11,303
low mileage
16,939
typical
23,198
high mileage

Half of all 1996 Honda Ca125 vehicles fall between 11,303 and 23,198 miles.

1996 Honda Ca125 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% of peak).

31 11 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

7.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.84
Avg failures per vehicle
5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1996 Honda Ca125

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 37.5%
    Drive chain slightly loose
  • 34.5%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 31.8%
    Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
  • 22%
    Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
  • 20.1%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 16.7%
    Drive chain excessively loose
  • 14.8%
    Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
  • 14.4%
    Rear Brake pedal pivots slightly worn

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Ca125?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Honda Ca125:

1997 1998 1999