Honda Xl125v (2003)
2003 Honda Xl125v
CarHunch analysed 473 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Xl125v. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2003 Honda XL125V falls just short of the UK average with a 77.7% first-time pass rate, and the bigger red flag is that 35.9% of these bikes have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable. That's a genuine safety concern for a prospective buyer, suggesting either age-related wear, poor maintenance history, or inherent design vulnerabilities in this model.
The median mileage of just 16,333 miles is remarkably low for a 21-year-old bike, which points to light use rather than robust durability. With nearly 10 advisories per vehicle on average, these bikes tend to accumulate niggly issues—corroded brake lines, worn bearings, fuel system problems—so budget for regular maintenance and always have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows small-displacement Honda bikes well.
What to check before buying a 2003 Honda Xl125v
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.
- ⚠️ 35.9% 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 Xl125v
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Honda Xl125v 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 Xl125v vehicles fall between 10,569 and 22,412 miles.
2003 Honda Xl125v — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 78 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% 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 Xl125v
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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55.9%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.9%
Drive chain slightly loose
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35.5%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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33%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive
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28.7%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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27.9%
Drive chain excessively loose
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26.4%
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
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20.5%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Xl125v?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.