Honda Odyssey MOT pass rate and common problems
85.7% of 1,583 Honda Odyssey MOT tests pass.
The Odyssey passes its MOT 85.7% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda Odyssey passes its MOT 85.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda Odyssey?
This is the average across every Honda Odyssey 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 87.0% at 3–6 years to 79.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (19) | 19 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 87.0% | 154 | 67,544 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.5% | 487 | 78,986 miles |
| 10–15 years | 87.9% | 593 | 73,490 miles |
| 15+ years | 79.1% | 330 | 94,871 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda Odyssey
The most common reason the Honda Odyssey fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 79.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 79.4% | Not working |
| Suspension | 24.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 18.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 18.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 13.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 8.1% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.0% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Honda Odyssey: what to check
These checks follow the Honda Odyssey’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 Odyssey comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 87.9% to 79.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 80.6% down to 71.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 79.4% of failed Honda Odyssey 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. Suspension
Recorded in 24.6% of failed Honda Odyssey MOTs. 10.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.3% at 3–6 years.
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. Brakes
Recorded in 18.7% of failed Honda Odyssey MOTs. 5.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.3% at 3–6 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 18.7% of failed Honda Odyssey MOTs. 5.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 1.3% at 3–6 years.
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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.7% of failed Honda Odyssey 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.
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 Integra — 89.6% pass rate
- Honda E — 92.6% pass rate
- Honda Prelude — 72.7% pass rate
- Honda Civic Ex Vtec — 96.8% pass rate
- Honda Freed — 93.1% pass rate
- Honda Elysion — 82.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda Odyssey?
- 85.7% of Honda Odyssey MOT tests pass, based on 1,583 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda Odyssey?
- The most common reason the Honda Odyssey fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 79.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Honda Odyssey?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda Odyssey are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda Odyssey?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. 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 Odyssey'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.