2012 Honda Fit — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,520 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Honda Fit, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 89.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (77.8%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 319 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.5% | 123 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.8% | 99 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.2% | 78 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.3% | 47 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.1% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 176 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 90 |
| 3 | Wipers | 85 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 76 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 71 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 68 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.4% | 508 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 318 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 217 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.2% | 147 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.2% | 147 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.5% | 88 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 307 | 16.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,870 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,216 | 9.8% |
| 90-120k | 108 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 2,906 | 10.6% |
| Petrol | 592 | 11.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 131 | 5.3% |
| 2023 | 807 | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 1,161 | 11.0% |
| 2025 | 1,404 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Fit
Before buying a 2012 Honda Fit, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (2.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Honda Fits pass their MOT?
89.3% of the 3,520 2012 Honda Fit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Honda Fit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.5%).
Does the 2012 Fit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.6% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,520 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.