Honda Xr 125 L 3 (2004)
2004 Honda Xr 125 L 3
CarHunch analysed 252 real MOT records for the 2004 Honda Xr 125 L 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Honda XR 125 L-3 is a reliability concern: only 19.3% pass their MOT first time, dramatically below the UK average of 80%, and the petrol version fares no better at 17.5%. Just 3.6% have suffered dangerous defects, so safety failures are relatively rare, but the sheer scale of repeat test visits makes this bike expensive to keep legal.
These machines average just under 12,000 miles, which is reasonable for a 20-year-old commuter bike, but the 1.1 advisories per vehicle suggest accumulated wear across multiple systems. If you're considering one, budget for regular workshop visits: expect roughly one failure every 2.5 bikes tested, and factor in multiple MOT attempts before it passes.
What to check before buying a 2004 Honda Xr 125 L 3
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 Xr 125 L 3
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 245 | 17.5% | 0.4 |
| Other (3%) | 7 | 82.1% | 0.29 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Honda Xr 125 L 3 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 2004 Honda Xr 125 L 3 vehicles fall between 6,509 and 13,530 miles.
2004 Honda Xr 125 L 3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022, 83% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2022.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Honda Xr 125 L 3?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
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