2012 · 12 years old at test · Hybrid mostly

2012 Honda Insight MOT pass rate and common faults

1,194 MOT tests in 2024. 69.6% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

108Well above average
Passed first time69.6%
Failed or needed repairs30.4%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,194 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.7%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
    41 marked dangerous
  4. Side repeaters: not working2.1%
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
    28 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
  8. Headlamp: light intensity severely reduced1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics25.8%
  2. Brakes9.8%
  3. Suspension8.5%
  4. Tyres6.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.0%
  6. Body & chassis1.8%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.3%
  8. Wheels1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.1%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.6%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.0%
  5. Headlamp: has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced4.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Honda Insight?

In 2024, 69.6% of 2012 Honda Insight cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,194 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Honda Insight?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; headlamp: not working on dipped beam; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Honda Insight reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 108, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).