Honda Fes125 (2003)
2003 Honda Fes125
CarHunch analysed 170 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Fes125. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Honda FES125 passes its MOT at 81.9%, slightly above the UK average of 80%, but nearly a quarter of these scooters (22.9%) have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—a meaningful concern for safety-conscious buyers. The petrol-only powerplant is straightforward and reliable enough to clear the test on first attempt more often than not.
At 16,306 miles average, these machines are running relatively low mileage for their age, which partly explains the decent pass rate, yet they still accumulate 1.83 failures and 5.3 advisories per vehicle across their lifetime. Before committing to one, get a full pre-purchase inspection with particular attention to brakes and lighting, since those defects dominate the failure pattern on older scooters.
What to check before buying a 2003 Honda Fes125
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.
- ⚠️ 22.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Fes125
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Honda Fes125 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 2003 Honda Fes125 vehicles fall between 10,084 and 22,498 miles.
2003 Honda Fes125 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (15% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Honda Fes125
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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49.2%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.2%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.9%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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31.8%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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26.2%
Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick
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25.6%
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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24.1%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
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21.5%
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Fes125?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.