Honda Insight
From 12,677 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Insights fare better: 2014 models pass at 81.4% vs 74% for 2009.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning and a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 301 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 301 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 286 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 270 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 245 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 239 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 223 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 216 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 203 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 182 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 181 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 41.4% of failures are serious: 32.8% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 8.7% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £93.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 81.4% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2013 | 77.7% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2012 | 74.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2011 | 75.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
2 earlier years
| 2010 | 72.8% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2009 | 74% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all Insights tested had between 77,040 and 144,234 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 115,743 median miles, the Insight has 0.022 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Honda models
| Honda Civic | 74.1% |
| Honda Jazz | 77.5% |
| Honda CR-V | 79.3% |
| Honda HR-V | 88.6% |
| Honda Accord | 69.6% |
Common questions
What is the Honda Insight MOT pass rate?
The Honda Insight has a 74.5% MOT pass rate based on 12,677 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Honda Insight?
The most common MOT failure on the Honda Insight is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 301 failures. Other common issues include a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Honda Insight at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Honda Insight is 115,743 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 77,040 and 144,234 miles.
Buying a used Insight?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £93 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.