Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Honda Ses 125 2?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Honda Ses 125 2?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Honda Ses 125 2?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2003 Honda Ses 125 2 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 170 vehicles, the 2003 Honda Ses 125 2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Honda Ses 125 2?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Honda Ses 125 2 (2003)

170 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.5% first-time pass rate

2003 Honda Ses 125 2

CarHunch analysed 170 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Ses 125 2. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2003 Honda SES 125-2 is well below the UK average, with only 56.8% passing MOT first time against the national 80% benchmark—a significant reliability red flag. Nearly one in five of these bikes have had a dangerous defect recorded, which is a genuine safety concern for potential buyers.

At an average mileage of 18,293 miles for a 21-year-old machine, these scooters are genuinely tired, and the data reflects that: owners face an average of 1.28 failures and 3.1 advisories per test. Before committing to one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a Honda specialist to establish the real condition of the engine and brakes, as those are the defects most likely to emerge.

We have limited data for the 2003 Honda Ses 125 2 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

18.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.28

Over 6.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

16k

Middle half: 11k–25k

For context

These stats describe 170 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 170 Honda Ses 125 2 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Honda Ses 125 2

Based on MOT data from 170 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Honda Ses 125 2 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

16,239

typical

11,239

low mileage

24,511

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Honda Ses 125 2 vehicles fall between 11,239 and 24,511 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 11,239 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 11,239–24,511 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Honda Ses 125 2s sit.

⚠ Over 33,089 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Honda Ses 125 2 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2003 Honda Ses 125 2s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2020 (23% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2020.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.28

Avg failures per vehicle

3.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Ses 125 2: All Ses 125 2 years → Which year to buy? →

2002

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Average reliability — agree?