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

Based on MOT data from 297 vehicles, the 2004 Honda Sh 125 4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83%, 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 Sh 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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Honda Sh 125 4 (2004)

297 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83% first-time pass rate

2004 Honda Sh 125 4

CarHunch analysed 297 real MOT records for the 2004 Honda Sh 125 4. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Honda SH 125-4 is a surprisingly poor MOT performer, with a first-time pass rate of just 16.8%—less than a quarter of the UK average of 80%. While the dangerous defect rate sits at a manageable 4.0%, the core issue is sheer unreliability: these scooters are arriving at test in rough mechanical condition.

At an average mileage of 15,228 for a 20-year-old machine, these bikes have covered reasonable ground, yet they're still accumulating 0.35 failures and 0.7 advisories per test, suggesting systemic wear or poor maintenance histories. If you're considering one, budget for immediate repairs and factor in regular servicing—this isn't a neglect-tolerant purchase.

We have limited data for the 2004 Honda Sh 125 4 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

83%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.35

Over 2.7 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

13k

Middle half: 7k–22k

For context

These stats describe 297 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 297 Honda Sh 125 4 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Honda Sh 125 4

Based on MOT data from 297 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 4% 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 559 Honda Sh 125 4 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 35.2%

197

Red 34.7%

194

Silver 28.6%

160

Black 1.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Honda Sh 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.

12,635

typical

7,258

low mileage

22,211

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Honda Sh 125 4 vehicles fall between 7,258 and 22,211 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 7,258 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.

✓ 7,258–22,211 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Honda Sh 125 4s sit.

⚠ Over 29,984 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 Sh 125 4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 44% of 2004 Honda Sh 125 4s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (44% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
* 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

2.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.35

Avg failures per vehicle

0.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2005

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

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

Average reliability — agree?