Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Honda Ses125?

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 2002 Honda Ses125?

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 2002 Honda Ses125?

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 2002 Honda Ses125 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 256 vehicles, the 2002 Honda Ses125 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2002 Honda Ses125?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2002 Honda Ses125 are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (30.4% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (30% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (22.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Honda Ses125?

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 Ses125 (2002)

256 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.9% first-time pass rate

2002 Honda Ses125

CarHunch analysed 256 real MOT records for the 2002 Honda Ses125. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2002 Honda SES125 is right on par with the UK average at 79.9% first-time pass rate, and dangerous defects affect only 15.2% of the fleet—well within acceptable limits for a two-decade-old scooter. The median score of 50 reflects typical wear for its age.

At an average mileage of 20,252 miles, these machines have been ridden moderately hard over two decades, which explains the 1.51 average failures per test and 3.4 advisories per vehicle—mostly minor issues like worn brake components and light corrosion. Before buying, budget for a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the ignition system, electrics, and brake wear, as these are the most common failure points on this model.

We have limited data for the 2002 Honda Ses125 — 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

79.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

15.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.51

Over 7.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

15k

Middle half: 10k–23k

For context

These stats describe 256 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?

What tends to go wrong

Across 256 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 30.4%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 22.6%

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 14.1%

Headlamp aim too high

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 12.1%

Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect · Steering movement slightly 'notchy'

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 256 Honda Ses125 cars.

Before you buy a 2002 Honda Ses125

Based on MOT data from 256 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.2% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,373 Honda Ses125 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 36%

1,574

Blue 34.9%

1,524

Red 26.8%

1,170

Black 1.9%

White 0.3%

Grey 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Honda Ses125 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.

14,980

typical

9,607

low mileage

23,105

high mileage

Half of all 2002 Honda Ses125 vehicles fall between 9,607 and 23,105 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,607 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.

✓ 9,607–23,105 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Honda Ses125s sit.

⚠ Over 31,191 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Honda Ses125 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 2002 Honda Ses125s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (19% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* 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

7.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.51

Avg failures per vehicle

3.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Ses125: All Ses125 years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2002 Honda Ses125 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?