1999 Honda S2000 — MOT failures & pass rate
844 MOT tests on the 1999 Honda S2000 are in this dataset, and 85.1% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.0% of the time, so this is 7.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.6%) and brakes (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.1% in the 0-30k band and 20.3% in the 150k+ band, a 16.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.6% in 2021 to 13.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 56 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.5% | 55 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.6% | 39 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 29 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 16 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 31 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 4 | Wipers | 20 |
| 5 | Washers | 20 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 16 |
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 | 21.1% | 178 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.3% | 146 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.8% | 142 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.5% | 63 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 53 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 48 |
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 | 49 | 4.1% |
| 30-60k | 155 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 234 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 231 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 114 | 16.7% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 175 | 16.6% |
| 2022 | 175 | 16.6% |
| 2023 | 165 | 16.4% |
| 2024 | 160 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 169 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 S2000
On a 1999 S2000, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.5% 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 (4.6% 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 1999 Honda S2000s pass their MOT?
85.1% of the 844 1999 Honda S2000 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Honda S2000?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by brakes (6.5%).
Does the 1999 S2000 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 844 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.