Honda S-max MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 62 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 56.5%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Honda S-max MOT Reliability Overview
The Honda S-max is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 62 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 43.5% and a failure rate of 56.5%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Honda S-max earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Honda S-max presents for MOT with approximately 123,776 miles on the clock. The 1997 manufacture year performs best with a 50.0% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Honda S-max is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 54.8% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Suspension at 29.0%. Driver's View of the Road rounds out the top three at 21.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 83.9% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.0% | 18 |
| 3 | Steering | 24.2% | 15 |
| 4 | Driver's View Of The Road | 22.6% | 14 |
| 5 | Brakes | 12.9% | 8 |
| 6 | Tyres | 12.9% | 8 |
| 7 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 8.1% | 5 |
| 8 | Road Wheels | 6.5% | 4 |
| 9 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 6.5% | 4 |
| 10 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 3.2% | 2 |
| 11 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.6% | 1 |
| 12 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 123,776 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 6.77 | 83.9% | 52 |
| Suspension | 2.35 | 29.0% | 18 |
| Steering | 1.95 | 24.2% | 15 |
| Visibility | 1.82 | 22.6% | 14 |
| Brakes | 1.04 | 12.9% | 8 |
| Tyres | 1.04 | 12.9% | 8 |
| Body & Structure | 0.65 | 8.1% | 5 |
| Wheels | 0.52 | 6.5% | 4 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.52 | 6.5% | 4 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.26 | 3.2% | 2 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.13 | 1.6% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.13 | 1.6% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Honda S-max has 123,776 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Honda S-max has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.56% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Honda S-max MOT Data
The Honda S-max is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 62 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 43.5% and a failure rate of 56.5%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Honda S-max owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific S-max is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 54.8% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 54.8% of MOT failures on the Honda S-max. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 29.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 29.0% of MOT failures on the Honda S-max. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Driver's View of the Road — 21.0% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 21.0% of MOT failures on the Honda S-max. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda S-max?
Based on 62 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Honda S-max has an overall pass rate of 43.5% (56.5% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda S-max?
The top 3 reasons a Honda S-max fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (54.8%), 2. Suspension (29.0%), 3. Driver's View of the Road (21.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Honda S-max reliable?
With a 56.5% MOT failure rate, the S-max is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Honda S-max?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (54.8%); Suspension (29.0%); Driver's View of the Road (21.0%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.