2008 Honda S2000 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,564 MOT tests, the 2008 Honda S2000 recorded an 88.9% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.1% of the time, so this is 9.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.6%) and brakes (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, washers and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 57 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.1% once past 120-150k — 3.4× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.6% | 57 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.8% | 43 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 40 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 37 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.7% | 26 |
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 | 57 |
| 2 | Washers | 39 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 35 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Linkage | 18 |
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 | 13.8% | 215 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 193 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 183 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 72 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 55 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 55 |
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 | 267 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 638 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 402 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 202 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 39 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 310 | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 324 | 14.8% |
| 2023 | 317 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 312 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 301 | 10.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 S2000
On a 2008 S2000, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (3.6% 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.
- Brakes (3.6% 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 (2.8% 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 2008 Honda S2000s pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 1,564 2008 Honda S2000 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Honda S2000?
Visibility, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 2008 S2000 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,564 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.