Honda NSX MOT pass rate and common problems
97.5% of 1,165 Honda NSX MOT tests pass.
The NSX passes its MOT 97.5% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda NSX passes its MOT 97.5% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda NSX?
This is the average across every Honda NSX 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 stays relatively stable with age: 97.9% at 3–6 years versus 97.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 97.9% | 48 | 12,890 miles |
| 6–10 years | 97.8% | 451 | 10,776 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 97.3% | 666 | 69,904 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda NSX
The most common reason the Honda NSX fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 85.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 85.1% | Not working |
| Brakes | 17.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 12.8% | Not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.5% | Shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire |
| Identification of the vehicle | 8.5% | Insecure |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.5% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits |
| Suspension | 8.5% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Visibility | 6.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Steering | 4.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Honda NSX: what to check
These checks follow the Honda NSX’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 98.9% down to 95.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 85.1% of failed Honda NSX 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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 17.0% of failed Honda NSX MOTs.
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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 12.8% of failed Honda NSX 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. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 8.5% of failed Honda NSX 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 8.5% of failed Honda NSX 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 Odyssey — 85.7% pass rate
- Honda Civic Ex Vtec — 96.8% pass rate
- Honda Freed — 93.1% pass rate
- Honda Elysion — 82.0% pass rate
- Honda Stream — 67.8% pass rate
- Honda Civic CRX — 77.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda NSX?
- 97.5% of Honda NSX MOT tests pass, based on 1,165 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda NSX?
- The most common reason the Honda NSX fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 85.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Honda NSX?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda NSX are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda NSX?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; 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 NSX'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.