2000 Honda Prelude — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,100 MOT tests, the 2000 Honda Prelude recorded a 73.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.6%, so the 2000 Prelude sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 119 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.1% in the 30-60k band and 28.8% in the 150k+ band, a 7.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.9% in 2021 to 21.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 155 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 128 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 115 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 99 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 79 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 62 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 119 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 84 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 76 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 68 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 61 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 58 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.4% | 367 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.2% | 321 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.3% | 289 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.2% | 244 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 179 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 163 |
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 | 123 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 234 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 323 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 209 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 191 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 265 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 250 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 231 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 187 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 167 | 21.0% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Prelude
On a 2000 Prelude, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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 (10.4% 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 2000 Honda Preludes pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 1,100 2000 Honda Prelude MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Honda Prelude?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 2000 Prelude get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 30-60k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,100 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.