Honda Cg125 (1998)
1998 Honda Cg125
CarHunch analysed 1,037 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Cg125. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1998 Honda CG125 is a genuinely problematic proposition: only 48.3% pass first time compared to the UK average of 80%, meaning roughly one in two bikes arrives at the test centre needing work. With 9.6% having experienced a dangerous defect at some point, these aren't trivial reliability issues—suspension, braking, and structural problems are cropping up regularly.
At an average mileage of 21,095 miles for a 26-year-old bike, these examples are relatively low-mileage, yet they're still accumulating 1.11 failures and 2.8 advisories per test. This pattern suggests age and condition matter far more than usage here; before considering one of these, get a pre-purchase inspection from a motorcycle specialist focusing on brakes, bearings, and fuel system corrosion, which are typical failure points on older small bikes.
What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Cg125
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 Cg125
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,029 | 47.9% | 1.11 |
| Other (1%) | 8 | 97.9% | 0.13 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Honda Cg125 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.
Half of all 1998 Honda Cg125 vehicles fall between 11,344 and 26,706 miles.
1998 Honda Cg125 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 52 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (30% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Honda Cg125
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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37.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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27.4%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.3%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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14.1%
Headlamp aim too high
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13.8%
Front Wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim.
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12.8%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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12.5%
Wheel alignment slightly misaligned.
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12.2%
Horn not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cg125?
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