2006 Honda S2000 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,099 MOT tests on the 2006 Honda S2000 are in this dataset, and 86.9% of them passed. That is 8.8 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.0%. Failures cluster in brakes, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (5.7%) and visibility (3.7%) 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 114 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.6% once past 150k — 3.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 5.7% | 176 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.7% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.7% | 115 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 106 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 96 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.1% | 65 |
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 | 114 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 108 |
| 3 | Wipers | 72 |
| 4 | Washers | 68 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 39 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 16.8% | 520 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 519 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.6% | 453 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 145 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.1% | 128 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 120 |
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 | 213 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 975 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,115 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 590 | 19.7% |
| 120-150k | 163 | 20.3% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 18.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 641 | 13.4% |
| 2022 | 640 | 13.6% |
| 2023 | 631 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 602 | 13.8% |
| 2025 | 585 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 S2000
On a 2006 S2000, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (5.7% 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.
- Visibility (3.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (3.7% 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 2006 Honda S2000s pass their MOT?
86.9% of the 3,099 2006 Honda S2000 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Honda S2000?
Brakes, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by visibility (3.7%).
Does the 2006 S2000 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,099 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.