2003 Honda S2000 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,716 MOT tests on the 2003 Honda S2000 are in this dataset, and 84.0% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.6% of the time, so this is 6.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (6.0%) and lighting & signalling (5.2%) 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 wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 146 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.0% once past 150k — 3.1× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 6.0% | 222 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 193 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.7% | 175 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 153 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 131 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.3% | 85 |
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 | 146 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 124 |
| 3 | Wipers | 99 |
| 4 | Washers | 99 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 70 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 66 |
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 | 19.9% | 739 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 679 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.0% | 668 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 253 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 232 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 217 |
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 | 193 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 646 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,341 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,000 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 399 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 137 | 19.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 813 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 755 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 770 | 17.5% |
| 2024 | 699 | 16.6% |
| 2025 | 679 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 S2000
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 6.0% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (6.0% 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 (5.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.7% 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 2003 Honda S2000s pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 3,716 2003 Honda S2000 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda S2000?
Brakes, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.2%).
Does the 2003 S2000 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,716 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.