2010 Honda Fit — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,153 MOT tests, the 2010 Honda Fit recorded an 84.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.2% of the time, so this is 9.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests against 5.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and linkage ball joint dust cover — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 78 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2010 Fit fails 16.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 20.0% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.2 points.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 13.9% fail against 17.3% for petrol, a 3.4-point gap across 1,148 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 157 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 68 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.6% | 41 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.6% | 41 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.4% | 28 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.2% | 25 |
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 | 78 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 43 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 41 |
| 5 | Wipers | 39 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 39 |
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 | 18.2% | 210 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 162 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 104 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.8% | 102 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.9% | 57 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.7% | 54 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 101 | 16.8% |
| 30-60k | 470 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 441 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 643 | 17.3% |
| Hybrid | 505 | 13.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60 | 10.0% |
| 2022 | 164 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 259 | 17.0% |
| 2024 | 324 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 346 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Fit
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (3.6% 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.
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 2010 Honda Fits pass their MOT?
84.2% of the 1,153 2010 Honda Fit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Honda Fit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 2010 Fit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.8% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,153 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.