2009 Honda Insight hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Honda Insight hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Honda Insight hybrid than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Headlights3.1× usual
  Honda Insight

  22% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 3.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Chassis rust or damage3.2× usual
  Honda Insight

  4.5% All 2009 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Corroded fuel pipes5.8× usual
  Honda Insight

  2.9% All 2009 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
  Honda Insight

  5% All 2009 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Body structure rust or damage3× usual
  Honda Insight

  3.6% All 2009 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2009 Honda Insight hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Honda Insight hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  31% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  29% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Rust and bodywork
  10% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Honda Insight hybrid

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2009 Honda Insight hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2009 Honda Insight hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2009 Honda Insight hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?