Honda Prelude common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Honda Prelude, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,377 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1987 Honda Prelude
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. 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 Prelude as a whole.
What to check on a 1987 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).
202620001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981
What usually goes wrong with a Honda Prelude?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Honda Prelude 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 Prelude MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Ball joint dust cover
up to 3.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 1998 and 1999.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Steering rack
up to 3.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 1998.
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.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 2.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 1998.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
Ball joint
up to 2.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 1998.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Honda Prelude 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 Prelude
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Honda Prelude as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Honda Prelude as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Honda Prelude as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, 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