Used car guide

1997 Honda Prelude: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Honda Prelude first registered in 1997: we looked at the 444 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 444 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

444MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
66%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
4,000typical miles a year
5.8×the usual rate for steering rack

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Honda Prelude?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Honda Prelude than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Steering rack5.8× usual
    Honda Prelude
    11.5% All 1997 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 1.1% of all 1997 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.2× usual
    Honda Prelude
    10.1% All 1997 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual
    Honda Prelude
    9.9% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 4.4% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.9% here, against 14.6% of all 1997 cars.

Common 1997 Honda Prelude MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Honda Prelude MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    30% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Honda Prelude

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 1997 Honda Prelude as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 1997 Honda Prelude as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1997 Honda Prelude as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Honda Prelude?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Honda Prelude compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2000493Suspension 40%
1999540Suspension 39%
1998517Suspension 47%
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992128Suspension 30%
1991143Suspension 31%
1990112Suspension 28%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Honda Prelude cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score