Honda E MOT pass rate and common problems
92.6% of 2,699 Honda E MOT tests pass.
The E passes its MOT 92.6% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda E passes its MOT 92.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda E?
This is the average across every Honda E in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Honda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 94.0% at 0–3 years to 91.9% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.0% | 953 | 14,893 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.9% | 1,746 | 17,509 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda E
The most common reason the Honda E fails its MOT is visibility — present in 48.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 48.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 48.0% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.7% | Too high |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.8% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Honda E: what to check
These checks follow the Honda E’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Honda E comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 94.0% to 91.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 48.8% of failed Honda E MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 48.0% of failed Honda E MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 4.7% of failed Honda E MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 1.6% of failed Honda E MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 0.8% of failed Honda E MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Honda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Honda models
- Honda Civic Sport Vtec — 95.6% pass rate
- Honda Civic SR Vtec — 95.0% pass rate
- Honda Integra — 89.6% pass rate
- Honda Prelude — 72.7% pass rate
- Honda Odyssey — 85.7% pass rate
- Honda Civic Ex Vtec — 96.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda E?
- 92.6% of Honda E MOT tests pass, based on 2,699 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda E?
- The most common reason the Honda E fails its MOT is visibility — present in 48.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Honda E?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda E are windscreen and wipers; tyres; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda E?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; tyres; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; number plates and vin. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Honda E's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Honda service history guide for how to check and keep one.