Honda S2000 MOT Failures
An analysis of 70,079 real DVSA MOT tests on the Honda S2000 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: AP1 (1999–2009).
Where the Honda S2000 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Honda S2000 is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 52 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 70,079 MOT tests, 0.81% of all Honda S2000 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned (20x the fleet average), emissions failure (16x the fleet average), power steering fault (45x the fleet average), and exhaust system damage (9.7x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Honda S2000's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Tyres, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering, Bodywork and others. If you're inspecting a Honda S2000 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Honda S2000's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Honda S2000 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned (20x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (15x). significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (8.0x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (6.3x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Honda S2000 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (38x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (34x). exhaust system damage (9.6x) and brake pipes corroded (8.1x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Honda S2000 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (40x the average) and structural corrosion (12x). brake pipes corroded (7.1x) and tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned (6.9x) also appear frequently.
The shift from tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned at lower mileages to power steering fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Honda S2000 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
EPS malfunction light (AP1/AP2) Major
The Electronic Power Steering system on the S2000 uses a motor-driven rack with multiple sensors monitoring steering angle, torque, and system operation. Affects AP1/AP2; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Suspension component damage and corrosion (AP1/AP2) Major
The S2000's double-wishbone front suspension uses aluminium control arms and steel subframes with multiple bushes and ball joints. Affects AP1/AP2; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Binding brake calipers (AP1/AP2) Major
The S2000 uses performance-oriented brake calipers designed for track use but prone to seizing due to corrosion of the sliding pins and piston seals, particularly on cars not used regularly. Affects AP1/AP2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.
Gearbox 2nd/3rd synchro (AP1/AP2) Major
The 6-speed manual transmission in the S2000 is known for precise gear changes when new, but the synchromesh rings for 2nd and 3rd gears are prone to premature wear. Affects AP1/AP2; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Honda S2000 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Honda S2000
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Honda S2000:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Tyres — check for tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Steering — check for power steering fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about eps malfunction light and suspension component damage and corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Honda S2000?
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Honda S2000 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda S2000?
Based on 70,079 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 52x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned and emissions failure.
Is the Honda S2000 reliable based on MOT data?
The Honda S2000 has 10 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag eps malfunction light as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Honda S2000 most commonly fails on power steering fault and structural corrosion. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned and anti-roll bar links worn.
How do I check a Honda S2000's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.