2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Honda S2000 MOT pass rate and common faults

600 MOT tests in 2024. 78.5% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

137Well above average
Passed first time78.5%
Failed or needed repairs21.5%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 600 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.0%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.8%
  4. Service brake imbalance: across an axle1.7%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    11 marked dangerous
  8. Washers: not working1.3%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits1.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes10.0%
  2. Lights & electrics8.2%
  3. Suspension6.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks5.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.0%
  6. Tyres3.7%
  7. Body & chassis2.0%
  8. Steering1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.7%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding8.0%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.8%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.3%

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: service brake performance: excessively binding. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2002 S2000All S2000 years2004 S2000 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Honda S2000?

In 2024, 78.5% of 2003 Honda S2000 cars passed their MOT first time, across 600 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Honda S2000?

The most common failure reasons were service brake performance: excessively binding; position lamp: not working; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2003 Honda S2000 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 137, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).