Small car · 2000–2021 cars

Honda Jazz reliability

The Honda Jazz fails 25.7% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,000,547 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 60/100#6 of 63 small cars

Checking a Honda Jazz before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 25.7%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 11% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 1,000,547; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,200; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Honda Jazz is a solid choice. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 25.7%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it has 11% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 63 small models. Age matters: 2021 is the best year, with 36% fewer fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2002 is the weakest, with 10% more.

Brakes are the weak spot, with 23% more fails than comparable cars, so check them closely. Before you buy, check for these common failures: a position lamp not working (3.68% of tests), a wiper blade not clearing the windscreen (3.14%), worn brake pads below 1.5mm (2.37%) and parking brake efficiency below minimum (2.15%). Test every light and wiper, and look at the brake pads and handbrake.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Honda Jazz ages

Each point is the share of Honda Jazzs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Honda JazzAll cars

Honda Jazz first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Honda Jazz	All cars
3	6.7%	12.3%
4	8.5%	14.1%
5	9.7%	16.4%
6	10.8%	19.1%
7	12.4%	22.1%
8	14.8%	25.5%
9	17.7%	28.8%
10	19.1%	31.8%
11	21.9%	34.6%
12	25.2%	37.3%
13	30.6%	39.5%
14	35.6%	41.1%
15	40.6%	42.3%
16	42.9%	42.9%
17	44.7%	43.4%
18	45.1%	43.5%
19	45.3%	43.4%
20	46.3%	42.8%
21	46.9%	41.4%
22	48.7%	40.6%

By year

The best and worst Honda Jazz years

2021 cars come out best and 2002 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Honda Jazz MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Jazz	2,667	6.4%	36% fewer fails	17,567
2020 Jazz	15,431	6.8%	32% fewer fails	17,014
2019 Jazz	40,078	7.6%	29% fewer fails	18,391
2018 Jazz	64,295	8.9%	26% fewer fails	22,266
2017 Jazz	55,100	10.3%	26% fewer fails	25,978
2016 Jazz	56,095	10.9%	32% fewer fails	30,700
2015 Jazz	54,330	13.2%	29% fewer fails	36,079
2014 Jazz	60,680	16.1%	26% fewer fails	42,674
2013 Jazz	65,446	18.1%	28% fewer fails	49,489
2012 Jazz	65,985	20.9%	26% fewer fails	55,524
2011 Jazz	62,261	22.8%	28% fewer fails	61,469
2010 Jazz	68,285	28%	19% fewer fails	69,248
2009 Jazz	74,373	31.1%	15% fewer fails	73,355
2008 Jazz	65,896	40.5%	5% more fails	76,357
2007 Jazz	65,319	42.5%	7% more fails	79,364
2006 Jazz	63,886	43.3%	6% more fails	83,128
2005 Jazz	52,605	44.8%	7% more fails	89,381
2004 Jazz	37,132	44.3%	5% more fails	90,175
2003 Jazz	20,924	44.2%	5% more fails	92,693
2002 Jazz	9,748	46.1%	10% more fails	96,413

Common problems

What fails most on a Honda Jazz

Its weak spot is brakes: 23% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics10.7%9% below avg
Brakes8.4%23% above avg
Suspension6.7%29% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%9% above avg
Tyres4.8%15% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.5%23% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.3%41% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.7%33% below avg
Steering0.7%62% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.68% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.14% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.37% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.15% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
5
Stop lamp not working 1.5% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.29% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
7
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.23% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.23% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Honda Jazz's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.54%
Tyre worn close to legal limit10.31%
Brake pads wearing thin8.74%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.38%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.77%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.5%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Honda Jazz

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Honda Jazz covers about 5,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol97.1%
Hybrid2.6%
Other0.2%
Electric0.1%
Diesel0%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Blue, Silver, Red, Black, Grey

Average engine size: 1.3 litres.

Compare

How the Honda Jazz compares with its rivals

Honda Jazz against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Honda Jazz	25.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A1	21.3%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Yaris	28.9%	about average for its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Micra	36.3%	20% more MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ibiza	33.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Clio	43.1%	44% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Honda models.

Questions

Honda Jazz questions, answered

Is the Honda Jazz reliable?

On MOT results, the Honda Jazz is about average: it fails 25.7% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Honda Jazz MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Honda Jazz are position lamp not working (3.68% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.14% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.37% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.7% of its tests.

Which Honda Jazz year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (10% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Honda Jazz do a year?

A typical Honda Jazz covers about 5,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Honda Jazz before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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