2003 Honda Jazz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 44,474 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Honda Jazz, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.5% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (70.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.7% in the 150k+ group versus 12.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 7,590 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 6,038 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 3,453 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.5% | 3,354 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 2,732 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 2,377 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 3,194 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 2,958 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,856 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,709 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 2,681 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 2,507 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 45.7% | 20,307 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.2% | 16,558 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 12,796 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.7% | 10,549 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.0% | 6,681 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 6,038 |
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 | 752 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 6,473 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 13,448 | 24.8% |
| 90-120k | 13,607 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 7,334 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,849 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,414 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 9,937 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 8,859 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 7,695 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 6,569 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Jazz
Before buying a 2003 Honda Jazz, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 Honda Jazzs pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 44,474 2003 Honda Jazz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda Jazz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2003 Jazz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,474 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.