Honda S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda S car check
Is the Honda S reliable? We analysed 1,102 real MOT tests across 172 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda S.
Honda S — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Honda S — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 791cc
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Car
- Common colour
- Not Stated
- Wheel plan
- 2 Axle Rigid Body
Fuel Economy
Tax & Emissions
- Emission class
- Not Available
Honda S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 51 | 76.5% | 28,695 | 55,432 | 81,412 |
| 1969 | 69 | 89.9% | 3,011 | 40,106 | 49,157 |
| 1968 | 104 | 87.5% | 42,669 | 66,826 | 77,183 |
| 1967 | 396 | 84.3% | 33,954 | 51,320 | 72,974 |
How Long Does a Honda S Last?
Based on 172 Honda S vehicles on UK roads.
Honda S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.9% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda S is 1969, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.9% across 69 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda S THIS CAR | 84.8% | 1,102 | 43,837 mi | 59 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Yamaha 535 | 85.3% | 1,147 | 21,075 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda S outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda S you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda SShould you buy a used Honda S?
The Honda S has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.8% across 1,102 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda S are stop lamp not working (14 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (14), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (10). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Honda S owner drives around 471 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda S models stay on UK roads for around 59 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.