2008 Honda Elysion — MOT failures & pass rate
438 MOT tests on the 2008 Honda Elysion are in this dataset, and 82.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.6% of the time, so this is 8.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.6% of all tests — 9.8 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and wipers — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 34 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Elysion fails 17.6% of the time in the 30-60k band and 19.6% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 64 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.8% | 21 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.1% | 18 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.4% | 15 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.8% | 8 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.8% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 34 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 3 | Wipers | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 12 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.1% | 101 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 65 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 58 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 50 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.3% | 32 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 22 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 68 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 192 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 100 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 19.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 77 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 93 | 20.4% |
| 2024 | 110 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 104 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Elysion
On a 2008 Elysion, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (4.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Honda Elysions pass their MOT?
82.0% of the 438 2008 Honda Elysion MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Honda Elysion?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by visibility (4.8%).
Does the 2008 Elysion get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 30-60k band to 19.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 438 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.