Honda Insight common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Honda Insight, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 25,682 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2002 Honda Insight
Too few Honda Insight cars first registered in 2002 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Honda Insight as a whole.
What to check on a 2002 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Honda Insight?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Honda Insight in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Honda Insight MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Headlights
up to 3.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Corroded fuel pipes
up to 5.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Chassis rust or damage
up to 3.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Body structure rust or damage
up to 3.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.
Hybrid
Headlights
up to 4.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Chassis rust or damage
up to 3.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Body structure rust or damage
up to 3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.
Wipers
up to 1.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Electric
Headlights
up to 3.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Chassis rust or damage
up to 3.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Body structure rust or damage
up to 3.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.
Honda Insight MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Honda Insight
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the Honda Insight as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Honda Insight as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Honda Insight as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Honda Insight?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score