1989 Honda Ballade MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Ballade models manufactured in 1989, based on 265 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Ballade cars tested in 1989. Want to see how cars built in 1989 hold up over time?
View 1989 Honda Ballade vintage page → (52.8% current pass rate)1989 Honda Ballade MOT Analysis
The 1989 Honda Ballade has an MOT pass rate of 53.2% based on 265 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,588 miles on the odometer. With a 46.8% failure rate, the 1989 Ballade is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Honda Ballade is Brakes, responsible for 1.5% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems is the second most common issue at 1.1%. Tyres follows at 0.8%.
Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall Ballade page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1.5% | 4 |
| 2 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.1% | 3 |
| 3 | Tyres | 0.8% | 2 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 61,588 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.25 | 1.5% | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 0.18 | 1.1% | 3 |
| Tyres | 0.12 | 0.8% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.06 | 0.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1989 Honda Ballade has an MOT pass rate of 53.2% based on 265 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,588 miles on the odometer. With a 46.8% failure rate, the 1989 Ballade is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Honda Ballade, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). At 61,588 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Brakes — 1.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1989 Honda Ballade models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems — 1.1% of failures
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Honda Ballade models. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.
Tyres — 0.8% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1989 Honda Ballade models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.