2007 Honda Jazz — MOT failures & pass rate
137,941 MOT tests on the 2007 Honda Jazz are in this dataset, and 74.2% of them passed. That is 2.0 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 27.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.0%) and brakes (14.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 9,702 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.9% in the 0-30k band and 32.6% in the 150k+ band, a 17.7-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 42.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 20,641 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 19,901 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 13,128 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 7,498 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 6,983 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 6,639 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 9,702 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 8,851 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7,619 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 6,946 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 6,629 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 6,431 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.7% | 58,879 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.6% | 43,606 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 37,114 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 25,696 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.0% | 15,160 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 14,503 |
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 | 4,980 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 31,789 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 48,502 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 34,594 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 13,687 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 4,361 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 137,893 | 25.8% |
| Diesel | 42 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30,203 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 29,029 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 28,084 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 26,550 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 24,075 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Jazz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (9.5% 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.
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 2007 Honda Jazzs pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 137,941 2007 Honda Jazz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Honda Jazz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by brakes (14.4%).
Does the 2007 Jazz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 137,941 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.