Verdict
Honda cars pass their MOT first time on 71.2% of tests, against 66.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 70% of cars on UK roads and ranks Honda 9th of 40 makes, well ahead of Ford and Nissan.
The best of the common models are the HR-V and the Insight, which each beat 87% of cars, and the CR-V (83%). The S2000 (1999–2009) and CR-Z do even better, beating 99% and 96%, though from far fewer tests.
The Jazz, the most common Honda, beats 72% of cars. The Civic is the weakest of the common models, about average at 59%.
Hondas fail less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage in almost every MOT area: body and structure, steering, and seat belts and airbags a little over half as often, and emissions and leaks about two-thirds as often. Lights and electrics, the most common area at about 14% of tests, and visibility fail about as often as on a typical car.
Where it fails
Every Honda compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Honda models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz 2002–2023 | 74.9% | Beats 72% | B |
| Civic 1991–2021 | 65.8% | Beats 59% | C |
| CR-V 1997–2023 | 73.6% | Beats 83% | A |
| Accord 1998–2015 | 59.9% | Beats 65% | B |
| HR-V 1999–2023 | 85.2% | Beats 87% | A |
| Insight 2009–2014 | 72.6% | Beats 87% | A |
| FR-V 2004–2009 | 57.3% | Beats 60% | C |
| S2000 1999–2009 | 79.7% | Beats 99% | A |
| CR-Z 2010–2014 | 78.3% | Beats 96% | A |
FAQ
What is the Honda MOT pass rate?
71.2% of Honda MOT tests were passed first time, from 8.0 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.7%, so Hondas do better than typical.
Are Hondas reliable?
On MOT results they are above average: Honda beats 70% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and ranks 9th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Honda model is most reliable?
Of the common models, the HR-V and Insight do best, each beating 87% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, followed by the CR-V. The S2000 and CR-Z do even better, from fewer tests.
Is the Honda Jazz reliable?
On MOT results, yes: the Jazz beats 72% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. The Civic is about average, beating 59%.
What do Hondas fail their MOT on?
Lights and electrics (about 14% of tests), suspension (about 9%), brakes (about 8%) and tyres. Only lights and electrics and visibility fail about as often as on a typical car of the same age and mileage; other areas fail less often.