Honda Shuttle MOT pass rate & common failures
1,225 MOT tests on the Honda Shuttle (1995–2020) give it a 75.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.7%) and suspension (10.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 166 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.9% in the 30-60k band and 32.6% in the 150k+ band, a 21.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.2% in 2021 to 20.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Shuttle model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 109 | 74.3% | 25.7% | Visibility |
| 1998 | 285 | 74.7% | 25.3% | Suspension |
| 1999 | 330 | 73.0% | 27.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 251 | 74.9% | 25.1% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 143 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 126 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 120 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.9% | 109 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 81 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 81 |
| 7 | Tyres | 4.4% | 54 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.5% | 31 |
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 | 166 |
| 2 | Wipers | 69 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 68 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 51 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 51 |
| 7 | Anti-lock braking system | 46 |
| 8 | Prescribed areas | 41 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.1% | 491 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 331 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.5% | 325 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.8% | 206 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 205 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.4% | 201 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 119 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 240 | 17.5% |
| 90-120k | 350 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 287 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 212 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,132 | 25.9% |
| Hybrid | 93 | 4.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 372 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 266 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 226 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 191 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 170 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a Honda Shuttle
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (9.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda Shuttle?
75.8% of the 1,225 Honda Shuttle MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 24.2% fail rate, across model years 1995–2020.
What does the Honda Shuttle most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, then suspension (10.3%).
How much does mileage affect Shuttle MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.9% for cars in the 30-60k band and 32.6% for 150k+, a 21.6-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,225 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.