Most Reliable Honda Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 927,815 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Honda models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
927,815 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Honda model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Honda E ADVANCE
92.0% pass rate
Best Single Year
S2000 2006 Petrol
83.2% pass rate
Honda vs National Average
72.2% vs 71.5%
+0.7% above average
Proven Durability Champion
S2000 2006
+25.9% at 13+ years
Honda has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 927,815 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Honda models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Honda model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Honda Compares to Rivals
Honda ranks #41 out of 75 manufacturers with a 72.2% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Kia | 73.9% | #32 | 886,213 |
| Hyundai | 73.3% | #34 | 858,542 |
| Suzuki | 73.1% | #37 | 429,206 |
| Honda | 72.2% | #41 | 927,815 |
| Mazda | 72.2% | #42 | 518,750 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Honda sits at #41. However, newer Honda models significantly outperform this average.
Best Honda Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Honda's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E ADVANCE | 92.0% | +20.4% | 771 | 2020-2020 |
| HR-V | 87.8% | +16.2% | 32,512 | 2000-2020 |
| FIT | 86.5% | +15.0% | 1,896 | 2010-2014 |
| S2000 | 80.3% | +8.8% | 4,989 | 2000-2009 |
| CR-Z | 76.5% | +5.0% | 3,723 | 2010-2014 |
| STEPWAGON | 76.0% | +4.5% | 1,864 | 2008-2019 |
| JAZZ | 74.8% | +3.3% | 333,425 | 2002-2021 |
| CR-V | 74.2% | +2.7% | 202,142 | 2000-2021 |
| INSIGHT | 70.5% | -1.0% | 8,745 | 2009-2014 |
| CIVIC | 67.2% | -4.3% | 289,324 | 2000-2020 |
Top performer
The E ADVANCE dramatically outperforms other Hondas with an 92.0% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Honda Models Age Best?
These Honda models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2000 | 2006 | Petrol | +25.9% | 13+ years | 83.2% |
| S2000 | 2005 | Petrol | +24.0% | 13+ years | 81.3% |
| S2000 | 2004 | Petrol | +22.4% | 13+ years | 79.7% |
| FIT | 2011 | Hybrid Electric | +20.7% | 11-12 years | 83.6% |
| S2000 | 2002 | Petrol | +20.4% | 13+ years | 77.7% |
| S2000 | 2003 | Petrol | +19.8% | 13+ years | 77.1% |
| JAZZ | 2011 | Hybrid Electric | +18.5% | 11-12 years | 81.3% |
| CR-V | 2010 | Petrol | +14.9% | 13+ years | 72.2% |
| JAZZ | 2012 | Petrol | +14.7% | 11-12 years | 77.5% |
| CR-V | 2009 | Petrol | +14.1% | 13+ years | 71.3% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The S2000 2006 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 26 percentage points, with 566 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Honda models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAZZ | 2017 | Petrol | +8.7% | 5-6 years | 89.9% |
| CR-V | 2017 | Petrol | +8.5% | 5-6 years | 89.7% |
| HR-V | 2016 | Petrol | +8.5% | 5-6 years | 89.7% |
| JAZZ | 2020 | Petrol | +8.4% | 3-4 years | 94.3% |
| JAZZ | 2016 | Petrol | +8.4% | 5-6 years | 89.6% |
| JAZZ | 2018 | Petrol | +7.9% | 5-6 years | 89.1% |
| HR-V | 2017 | Petrol | +7.8% | 5-6 years | 89.0% |
| HR-V | 2018 | Petrol | +7.7% | 5-6 years | 88.8% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Honda JAZZ: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The JAZZ has 333,425 tests in our database with an overall 74.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hybrid Electric | 95.4% | +4.5% | 108 |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 95.2% | +7.5% | 5,826 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 94.3% | +6.6% | 4,943 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 92.9% | +6.7% | 16,755 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 91.0% | +6.8% | 20,223 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 89.9% | +8.2% | 17,973 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 88.9% | +10.2% | 18,355 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 86.6% | +11.1% | 17,264 |
| 2015 | Hybrid Electric | 85.8% | +10.3% | 428 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 84.0% | +12.3% | 18,804 |
| 2014 | Hybrid Electric | 83.6% | +11.9% | 696 |
| 2013 | Hybrid Electric | 84.5% | +16.2% | 633 |
| ... | ||||
| 2008 | Petrol | 59.5% | +2.1% | 21,595 |
| 2007 | Petrol | 57.5% | +0.6% | 21,532 |
| 2006 | Petrol | 56.5% | +0.3% | 20,945 |
JAZZ verdict: The 2021 hybrid electric model achieves an excellent 95.4% pass rate. Avoid the 2008 petrol (59.5%).
Avoid early JAZZ models
The 2008 petrol JAZZ has a 59.5% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Honda CIVIC: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The CIVIC has 289,324 tests in our database with an overall 67.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 92.7% | +5.0% | 4,297 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 90.1% | +2.5% | 972 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 90.3% | +4.1% | 10,485 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 85.7% | -0.6% | 2,278 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 86.1% | +1.9% | 10,978 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 84.6% | +0.4% | 2,720 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 86.0% | +4.3% | 12,787 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 82.5% | +0.8% | 1,934 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 86.7% | +8.1% | 9,490 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 81.8% | +3.1% | 6,731 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 85.0% | +9.6% | 7,946 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 79.5% | +4.0% | 7,131 |
| ... | ||||
| 2011 | Petrol | 59.8% | -3.2% | 11,096 |
| 2011 | Diesel | 55.8% | -7.2% | 344 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 58.8% | -1.7% | 13,383 |
CIVIC verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 92.7% pass rate. Avoid the 2011 petrol (59.8%).
Avoid early CIVIC models
The 2011 petrol CIVIC has a 59.8% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Honda CR-V: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The CR-V has 202,142 tests in our database with an overall 74.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hybrid Electric | 98.0% | +7.2% | 152 |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 93.3% | +5.6% | 4,081 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 93.0% | +5.4% | 1,481 |
| 2019 | Hybrid Electric | 93.2% | +7.0% | 3,625 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 92.3% | +6.1% | 4,732 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 90.4% | +6.2% | 5,193 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 87.8% | +3.6% | 4,261 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 89.7% | +8.0% | 5,145 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 87.8% | +6.1% | 6,860 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 88.4% | +9.7% | 5,010 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 87.0% | +8.3% | 9,277 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 86.8% | +11.3% | 4,853 |
| ... | ||||
| 2007 | Diesel | 57.6% | +0.7% | 8,668 |
| 2006 | Petrol | 56.4% | +0.2% | 4,962 |
| 2006 | Diesel | 54.9% | -1.2% | 5,566 |
CR-V verdict: The 2021 hybrid electric model achieves an excellent 98.0% pass rate. Avoid the 2007 diesel (57.6%).
Avoid early CR-V models
The 2007 diesel CR-V has a 57.6% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Honda HR-V: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The HR-V has 32,512 tests in our database with an overall 87.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 94.3% | +6.6% | 3,348 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 92.0% | +4.3% | 426 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 93.5% | +7.3% | 4,493 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 92.3% | +6.1% | 418 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 91.2% | +7.0% | 4,930 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 89.7% | +5.5% | 1,168 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 89.0% | +7.4% | 3,764 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 87.0% | +5.3% | 2,105 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 88.7% | +10.0% | 3,876 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 85.5% | +6.9% | 3,063 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 86.9% | +11.4% | 1,197 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 84.3% | +8.8% | 1,573 |
| ... | ||||
| 2005 | Petrol | 59.2% | +3.0% | 206 |
| 2004 | Petrol | 56.0% | -0.0% | 300 |
| 2003 | Petrol | 54.1% | -2.5% | 277 |
HR-V verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 94.3% pass rate. Avoid the 2005 petrol (59.2%).
Avoid early HR-V models
The 2005 petrol HR-V has a 59.2% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Honda Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Honda's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 86.7% | +15.2% | 25,050 |
| Electric | 76.0% | +4.5% | 3,475 |
| Other | 72.6% | +1.1% | 3,031 |
| Diesel | 71.9% | +0.4% | 191,873 |
| Petrol | 71.7% | +0.2% | 694,437 |
The hybrid advantage: Honda hybrids pass MOTs 15% more often than petrols and 15% more often than diesels.
Honda Models to Avoid
Not all Hondas are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCORD | 2000 | Petrol | 51.2% (-8.6% vs same-age) | 933 |
| ACCORD | 2002 | Petrol | 50.5% (-9.4% vs same-age) | 703 |
| CR-V | 2003 | Petrol | 49.8% (-10.1% vs same-age) | 5,636 |
| CR-V | 2000 | Petrol | 54.4% | 936 |
| CIVIC | 2009 | Diesel | 53.1% | 5,225 |
| CR-V | 2002 | Petrol | 51.7% (-8.1% vs same-age) | 3,791 |
| CR-V | 2001 | Petrol | 53.2% | 1,458 |
| CIVIC | 2007 | Diesel | 51.7% (-8.1% vs same-age) | 6,805 |
| CR-V | 2004 | Petrol | 50.9% (-8.9% vs same-age) | 6,852 |
| CIVIC | 2010 | Diesel | 55.6% (-8.2% vs same-age) | 3,938 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2000-2002 petrol ACCORDs, 2000-2004 petrol CR-Vs, 2007-2010 diesel CIVICs are the models that drag down Honda's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Hondas?
When Hondas fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 120,795 |
| 2. Suspension | 77,791 |
| 3. Brakes | 67,960 |
| 4. Tyres | 49,347 |
| 5. Visibility | 45,536 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 25,089 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 23,474 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Honda owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- S2000 2002-2006: +23% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- FIT 2011: +21% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- JAZZ 2010-2012: +15% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- CR-V 2009-2012: +14% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Honda Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- CR-V 2002-2004: -6% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- ACCORD 2000-2002: -6% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- CIVIC 2006-2010: -6% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 927,815 tests on Honda vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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