2000 Honda S2000 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,921 MOT tests on the 2000 Honda S2000 are in this dataset, and 82.9% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.3% fail rate), the 2000 S2000 comes out 5.2pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (6.4%) and lighting & signalling (6.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, catalyst emissions and washers — service brake performance alone was recorded 73 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.2% versus 7.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.7% in 2021 to 14.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 6.4% | 123 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 121 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.5% | 106 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 93 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 68 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.9% | 36 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 73 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 66 |
| 3 | Washers | 54 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 48 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 45 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 43 |
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 | 20.9% | 401 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.1% | 329 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.2% | 273 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 135 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 133 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 102 |
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 | 67 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 310 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 500 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 538 | 17.7% |
| 120-150k | 359 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 26.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 412 | 18.7% |
| 2022 | 410 | 17.3% |
| 2023 | 371 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 369 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 359 | 14.5% |
What to check before buying a 2000 S2000
On a 2000 S2000, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (6.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.5% 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 2000 Honda S2000s pass their MOT?
82.9% of the 1,921 2000 Honda S2000 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Honda S2000?
Brakes, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.3%).
Does the 2000 S2000 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 26.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,921 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.