Honda S2000 MOT pass rate and common problems
85.8% of 7,846 Honda S2000 MOT tests pass.
The S2000 passes its MOT 85.8% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda S2000 passes its MOT 85.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda S2000?
This is the average across every Honda S2000 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 93.0% at 10–15 years to 85.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 93.0% | 314 | 52,777 miles |
| 15+ years | 85.6% | 7,530 | 78,521 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda S2000
The most common reason the Honda S2000 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 40.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Excessively binding".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 40.2% | Excessively binding |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.4% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 26.5% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Suspension | 22.9% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Visibility | 21.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 11.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Steering | 5.1% | Warning lamp indicates a system malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.0% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Honda S2000: what to check
These checks follow the Honda S2000’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 S2000 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 93.0% to 85.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.6% down to 89.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 40.2% of failed Honda S2000 MOTs. 7.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.6% at 10–15 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.4% of failed Honda S2000 MOTs. 5.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.3% at 10–15 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.
3. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 26.5% of failed Honda S2000 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 22.9% of failed Honda S2000 MOTs.
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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 21.3% of failed Honda S2000 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 Fit — 92.9% pass rate
- Honda FR-V — 63.7% pass rate
- Honda Jazz Crosstar — 97.5% pass rate
- Honda Stepwagon — 84.3% pass rate
- Honda CR-Z — 81.2% pass rate
- Honda Civic Sport Vtec — 95.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda S2000?
- 85.8% of Honda S2000 MOT tests pass, based on 7,846 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda S2000?
- The most common reason the Honda S2000 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 40.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Excessively binding".
- What are the common problems with the Honda S2000?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda S2000 are brakes; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 7.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.6% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda S2000?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension; 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 S2000'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.