Motoring Today

Honda Jazz MOT reliability

Reliability from 7 Honda Jazz cars with real DVSA MOT history — how often they pass first time, the most common failure reasons, and how much MOT life is left.

Reviewed by the Motoring Today Editorial team · methodology in our editorial standards.

How reliable is the Honda Jazz at MOT?

Across 4 Honda Jazz cars on Motoring Today, the average first-time MOT pass rate is 71%. 75% of stock currently holds a valid MOT, with a median of 7 months left on the certificate. The most common reasons these cars fail an MOT are visibility (windscreen & wipers), brakes and tyres, from real DVSA test history.

Avg pass rate
71%
Valid MOT
3 / 4
Median MOT left
7 mo
Top failure
Visibility (windscreen & wipers)

There are 3 Honda Jazz models currently available on Motoring Today, with prices starting from £8750 or a representative £195 per month. Drawing from 327,821 real UK MOT tests, the Honda Jazz achieves a national pass rate of 80.69%. The most common reasons for failure are 'Lighting & electrical' at 29%, followed by 'Brakes' at 24%, and 'Suspension' at 17%. These figures highlight areas prospective buyers should focus on during pre-purchase checks. 'Lighting & electrical' failures often relate to blown bulbs, faulty wiring, or misaligned headlights – simple checks that can save hassle. 'Brakes' can mean worn pads, discs, or even issues with brake lines, which are crucial safety components. 'Suspension' problems typically involve worn shock absorbers, springs, or bushes, affecting ride comfort and handling. Inspecting these areas carefully, perhaps with a pre-purchase inspection, can help identify potential issues. It's important to remember that an MOT pass rate reflects cars presented for test, not necessarily a vehicle's lifetime reliability. Failures frequently cluster with a car's age, mileage, and how well it has been maintained, rather than being an inherent flaw of the model. Motoring Today provides full MOT histories for every listing, allowing you to see specific failure trends for any individual Jazz you are considering.

71First-time MOT pass
Average pass rate
Stock with valid MOT
3 / 4
75% road-ready
Median MOT left
7 mo
Expiring < 2 mo
0
Plan for an MOT soon after purchase

Most common MOT failures on the Honda Jazz

Grouped reasons for MOT rejection across 7 Honda Jazz cars with DVSA test history in our stock (15 recorded failure items, 5 of them dangerous).

Failure areaRecorded failuresShare of failures
Visibility (windscreen & wipers)533%
Brakes533%
Tyres427%
Suspension17%

Based on real DVSA MOT test records for cars currently listed. Individual condition varies — always check the specific car's MOT history and advisories on its listing.

MOT pass rate is the percentage of Honda Jazz cars in our stock that passed their most recent MOT on the first attempt, based on DVSA history. A pass rate above 80% is generally strong for a car of this age.

If a car you're viewing is approaching its MOT expiry, factor in the cost of any advisories — these are listed on each vehicle detail page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a used Honda Jazz?
Based on 327821 national DVSA MOT tests, the Honda Jazz has an average initial MOT pass rate of 80.69% across all ages. This figure is derived from real-world MOT data in the UK.
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda Jazz?
The most frequent MOT failure categories for the Honda Jazz are Lighting & electrical (29%), Brakes (24%), and Suspension (17%). Other common issues include Visibility (windscreen & wipers) (11%) and Tyres (11%).
Is the Honda Jazz a reliable car?
While the 80.69% MOT pass rate is relatively strong, it reflects a car's condition when presented for an annual test, not its lifetime reliability. Failures typically become more prevalent as a car ages and if maintenance is neglected.
What should I check before buying a used Honda Jazz?
Prioritise checking the lighting and electrical systems, brakes, and suspension components, as these are the most common MOT failure areas. Also inspect the windscreen, wipers, and tyres thoroughly.
How many Honda Jazz models are currently for sale and what's the cheapest monthly price?
There are 2 Honda Jazz models currently for sale. The cheapest monthly price available is £223, based on a representative finance example subject to status.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Honda Jazz?
Across 7 Honda Jazz cars on Motoring Today with DVSA MOT history, the most common reasons for MOT failure are visibility (windscreen & wipers), brakes and tyres (visibility (windscreen & wipers) account for 33% of recorded failures).

More Honda Jazz resources