Honda Prelude
From 2,420 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, 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 and steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, caused 145 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 145 |
| 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 | 143 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 111 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 103 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 88 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 81 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 74 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 73 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 67 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 66 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15% of Prelude failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 20.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £134.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 75.4% | a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1999 | 71.6% | a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, 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 |
| 1998 | 69.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1997 | 71.7% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 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 |
1 earlier years
| 1992 | 85.4% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated |
Typical mileage
Half of all Preludes tested had between 76,381 and 148,439 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 100,922 median miles, the Prelude has 0.026 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 Prelude MOT pass rate?
The Honda Prelude has a 73.5% MOT pass rate based on 2,420 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Honda Prelude?
The most common MOT failure on the Honda Prelude is a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, which caused 145 failures. Other common issues include 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.
What is the typical mileage of a Honda Prelude at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Honda Prelude is 100,922 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 76,381 and 148,439 miles.
Buying a used Prelude?
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 73.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £134 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.