Honda Cb 125 Td C (1986)

555 real MOT outcomes analysed • 1.7% first-time pass rate

1986 Honda Cb 125 Td C

CarHunch analysed 555 real MOT records for the 1986 Honda Cb 125 Td C. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1986 Honda CB 125 TD-C is a catastrophic reliability outlier: just 1.7% of these bikes pass their MOT on the first attempt, compared to the UK average of 80%. The dangerous defect rate is mercifully low at 0.2%, but the near-total first-time failure rate makes this one of the worst-performing cohorts on record.

These are genuinely ancient machines with a median mileage of 27,012 miles, suggesting most survivors are lightly-used garage queens rather than working bikes—yet they still fail MOT relentlessly. If you're considering one, assume you're buying a restoration project, not a rideable bike: budget for comprehensive mechanical work before it will pass inspection.

Below average reliability 78.3% below UK average
1.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
27,012
typical mileage
22,165–33,889 middle half
0.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.03
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1986 Honda Cb 125 Td C

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 Cb 125 Td C

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

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 554 1.5% 0.03
Other (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1986 Honda Cb 125 Td C 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.

22,165
low mileage
27,012
typical
33,889
high mileage

Half of all 1986 Honda Cb 125 Td C vehicles fall between 22,165 and 33,889 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.03
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Honda Cb 125 Td C?

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

UK

Other model years — Honda Cb 125 Td C:

1982 1983 1984 1985