Know Your MOT
25.3%fail rate

Honda Vtec MOT failure rate

What a Honda Vtec fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 83 MOT tests in DVSA data.

We hold 83 MOT tests for the Honda Vtec in the DVSA data. That is a smaller sample than our high-volume models, so treat these figures as indicative rather than definitive.

On what we have, about 25.3% fail, most often on suspension, lamps & electrical, tyres, brakes. For a precise picture of your own car, use the registration check on the home page. Confirm any part against your registration or VIN before buying.

What it fails on, and why

Suspension33.3% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

Lamps & electrical28.6% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Tyres19.0% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

Brakes14.3% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Exhaust & emissions9.5% of failures

Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.

Other4.8% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the suspension failure: Honda Vtec suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Honda Vtec suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate searchFind Honda Vtec suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Honda Vtec headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Honda Vtec headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Honda Vtec headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the tyres failure: Honda Vtec tyresSearch Amazon for Honda Vtec tyresaffiliate searchFind Honda Vtec tyres on eBayaffiliate
For the brakes failure: Honda Vtec brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Honda Vtec brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Honda Vtec brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Honda Vtec exhaustSearch Amazon for Honda Vtec exhaustaffiliate searchFind Honda Vtec exhaust on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Honda Civic MOT failures26.3% failure rateHonda Jazz MOT failures18.9% failure rateHonda Cr-V MOT failures21.4% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain