Honda Sh125 (2003)
2003 Honda Sh125
CarHunch analysed 241 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Sh125. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Honda SH125 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.7% versus 80%, suggesting decent baseline reliability for a 20-year-old scooter. However, 17.4% of these machines have recorded dangerous defects during testing—a notable concern that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection of brakes and lighting.
These scooters are running at sensible mileage for their age (median 14,717 miles), but they're accumulating an average of 1.74 failures and 4.3 advisories per test, indicating wear-related issues are common. Before buying, check the full MOT history for patterns in what's failing—if you see repeated brake or suspension work, walk away.
What to check before buying a 2003 Honda Sh125
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Honda Sh125
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 238 | 81.6% | 1.75 |
| Other (1%) | 3 | 90.5% | 0.67 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Honda Sh125 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Honda Sh125 vehicles fall between 9,403 and 20,668 miles.
2003 Honda Sh125 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 20 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Honda Sh125
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
38%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
37.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
22.9%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
-
21.3%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
-
19.3%
Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn
-
18.1%
Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick
-
16.5%
Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
-
15.9%
Rear Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Sh125?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.