Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Honda Ses 125 3?

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 3?

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 3?

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 3 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 603 vehicles, the 2003 Honda Ses 125 3 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.6%, 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 3?

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 3 (2003)

603 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.6% first-time pass rate

2003 Honda Ses 125 3

CarHunch analysed 603 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Ses 125 3. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2003 Honda SES 125-3 has a first-time pass rate of just 58%, well below the UK average of 80%, which suggests these scooters tend to arrive at MOT in rougher shape than most vehicles. The good news is that only 12.1% have ever shown dangerous defects, so while reliability is mediocre, safety-critical failures are relatively uncommon.

At a median mileage of 15,502 miles for a 21-year-old machine, these scooters haven't been thrashed, yet they still average 1.25 failures and 2.5 advisories each—pointing to age-related wear rather than abuse. If you're considering one, budget for basic maintenance work before purchase and expect to keep on top of routine servicing, because these older SES models don't forgive neglect.

The 2003 Honda Ses 125 3 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (81.6%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

81.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

12.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.25

Over 7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

16k

Middle half: 10k–23k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 603 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 603 Honda Ses 125 3 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Honda Ses 125 3

Based on MOT data from 603 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.1% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	599	81.7%	1.26

Colour Breakdown

Based on 675 Honda Ses 125 3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 39.6%

267

Silver 32.4%

219

Red 27%

182

Black 1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Honda Ses 125 3 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.

15,502

typical

9,884

low mileage

22,601

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Honda Ses 125 3 vehicles fall between 9,884 and 22,601 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,884 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.

✓ 9,884–22,601 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Honda Ses 125 3s sit.

⚠ Over 30,511 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 3 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 16% of 2003 Honda Ses 125 3s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 29 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (16% of peak).

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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.25

Avg failures per vehicle

2.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Honda Ses 125 3 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?