Honda S2000
From 8,206 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer S2000s fare better: 2009 models pass at 93% vs 80.3% for 2000.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, emissions levels exceed default limits and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, caused 133 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 133 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 109 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 95 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 65 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 65 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 63 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 61 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 59 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 58 |
| 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 | 56 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 40.4% of failures are serious: 33.1% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 7.3% 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 £114.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 93% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2008 | 88.1% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2007 | 87.4% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2006 | 85% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
7 earlier years
| 2005 | 85.6% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2004 | 85.1% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2003 | 82.3% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2002 | 80.6% | emissions levels exceed default limits, 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 |
| 2001 | 78.9% | emissions levels exceed default limits, 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 |
| 2000 | 80.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1999 | 86.2% | a brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
Typical mileage
Half of all S2000s tested had between 66,980 and 112,093 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 90,839 median miles, the S2000 has 0.017 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 S2000 MOT pass rate?
The Honda S2000 has a 84.6% MOT pass rate based on 8,206 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Honda S2000?
The most common MOT failure on the Honda S2000 is significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, which caused 133 failures. Other common issues include emissions levels exceed default limits.
What is the typical mileage of a Honda S2000 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Honda S2000 is 90,839 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 66,980 and 112,093 miles.
Buying a used S2000?
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 84.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £114 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.