Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Honda XL 125 V 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 XL 125 V 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 XL 125 V 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.

How many 2004 Honda XL 125 V 4 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Honda XL 125 V 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 XL 125 V 4 (2004)

302 real MOT outcomes analysed • 66.4% first-time pass rate

2004 Honda XL 125 V 4

CarHunch analysed 302 real MOT records for the 2004 Honda XL 125 V 4. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 13.6% below UK average

66.4%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

17,007

typical mileage

11,829–23,087 middle half

31.1%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

2.3

avg MOT failures per car

over 10.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2004 Honda XL 125 V 4

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.
⚠️ 31.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
📄 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 XL 125 V 4

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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 (96%)	289	65.9%	2.36
Other (4%)	13	77.4%	1.08

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Honda XL 125 V 4 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.

11,829

low mileage

17,007

typical

23,087

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Honda XL 125 V 4 vehicles fall between 11,829 and 23,087 miles.

2004 Honda XL 125 V 4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 46 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (30% 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

10.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.3

Avg failures per vehicle

7.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Honda XL 125 V 4?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.