Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Honda Ses 125 4?

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 2004 Honda Ses 125 4?

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 2004 Honda Ses 125 4?

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 2004 Honda Ses 125 4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 409 vehicles, the 2004 Honda Ses 125 4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, 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 2004 Honda Ses 125 4?

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 4 (2004)

409 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2004 Honda Ses 125 4

CarHunch analysed 409 real MOT records for the 2004 Honda Ses 125 4. 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

Moderate sample. 409 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2004 Honda SES 125-4 is a serious reliability concern: just 19.4% pass first time versus the UK average of 80%, meaning four out of five fail their MOT. The dangerous defect rate of 2.0% is mercifully low, so safety issues aren't the primary worry—it's the sheer frequency of failures.

At just over 13,700 miles average, these are relatively low-mileage machines, yet they're still racking up an average of 0.22 failures and 0.4 advisories each, suggesting age-related deterioration rather than wear-and-tear issues. If you're considering one, budget for regular MOT failures and factor in remedial work before purchase, or walk away unless the price reflects its troublesome track record.

The 2004 Honda Ses 125 4 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (82.9%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.22

Over 1.9 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

12k

Middle half: 8k–18k

For context

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

These stats describe 409 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 409 Honda Ses 125 4 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Honda Ses 125 4

Based on MOT data from 409 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	403	83%	0.22

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,225 Honda Ses 125 4 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 41.2%

505

Silver 29.4%

360

Blue 27.6%

338

Green 1.4%

Black 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Honda Ses 125 4 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.

12,067

typical

7,535

low mileage

18,319

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Honda Ses 125 4 vehicles fall between 7,535 and 18,319 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 7,535 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.

✓ 7,535–18,319 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Honda Ses 125 4s sit.

⚠ Over 24,730 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Honda Ses 125 4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 63% of 2004 Honda Ses 125 4s are still active.

10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 63% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

1.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.22

Avg failures per vehicle

0.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Ses 125 4: All Ses 125 4 years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Honda Ses 125 4 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?