Honda Fit MOT pass rate and common problems
92.9% of 11,534 Honda Fit MOT tests pass.
The Fit passes its MOT 92.9% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda Fit passes its MOT 92.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda Fit?
This is the average across every Honda Fit 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 declines noticeably with age, from 89.6% at 0–3 years to 81.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.6% | 222 | 48,449 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.0% | 189 | 54,040 miles |
| 6–10 years | 95.9% | 1,320 | 52,526 miles |
| 10–15 years | 93.0% | 9,487 | 54,637 miles |
| 15+ years | 81.0% | 316 | 54,718 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda Fit
The most common reason the Honda Fit fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 79.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 79.2% | Not working |
| Suspension | 28.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 20.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 10.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Steering | 7.6% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 3.3% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.4% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
Buying a used Honda Fit: what to check
These checks follow the Honda Fit’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 Fit comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 93.0% to 81.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 92.2% down to 85.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 79.2% of failed Honda Fit MOTs. 27.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 10.8% at 0–3 years.
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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 28.6% of failed Honda Fit MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 20.6% of failed Honda Fit 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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.4% of failed Honda Fit MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 10.1% of failed Honda Fit MOTs. 11.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
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 HR-V — 91.1% pass rate
- Honda Accord — 69.8% pass rate
- Honda Insight — 79.8% pass rate
- Honda FR-V — 63.7% pass rate
- Honda Jazz Crosstar — 97.5% pass rate
- Honda S2000 — 85.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda Fit?
- 92.9% of Honda Fit MOT tests pass, based on 11,534 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda Fit?
- The most common reason the Honda Fit fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 79.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Honda Fit?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda Fit are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres. 27.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 10.8% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda Fit?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; windscreen and wipers; brakes. 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 Fit'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.