Honda Magna Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Magna car check
Is the Honda Magna reliable? We analysed 2,394 real MOT tests across 257 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Magna? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Magna is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Magna.
Honda Magna Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Magna. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Magna MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Magna to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Magna Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Magna fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Magna Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda Magna models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda Magna Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Magna owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Magna MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Magna year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 91 | 87.9% | 13,444 | 18,410 | 22,802 |
| 1997 | 154 | 85.7% | 21,450 | 35,520 | 39,386 |
| 1996 | 172 | 86.0% | 17,362 | 24,726 | 40,350 |
| 1995 | 141 | 90.8% | 10,020 | 14,904 | 23,024 |
| 1994 | 237 | 86.9% | 15,372 | 20,722 | 28,279 |
| 1993 | 68 | 80.9% | 20,750 | 37,652 | 47,657 |
| 1988 | 106 | 86.8% | 17,375 | 20,052 | 31,666 |
| 1987 | 288 | 83.7% | 16,188 | 22,311 | 33,735 |
| 1986 | 171 | 86.5% | 21,384 | 26,078 | 31,260 |
| 1985 | 308 | 78.9% | 16,289 | 25,084 | 34,622 |
| 1984 | 292 | 80.1% | 23,055 | 34,118 | 45,858 |
| 1983 | 52 | 73.1% | 19,712 | 28,150 | 33,574 |
| 1982 | 111 | 80.2% | 27,085 | 34,730 | 50,247 |
How Long Does a Honda Magna Last?
Based on 257 Honda Magna vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Magna Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Magna MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Magna
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.8% MOT pass rate from 141 tests
73.1% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Magna is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 141 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Magna Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Magna THIS CAR | 83.6% | 2,394 | 24,953 mi | 44 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Seat Leon S Cr TDI | 81.9% | 1,391 | 117,790 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Magna outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Magna you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda MagnaShould you buy a used Honda Magna?
The Honda Magna has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.6% across 2,394 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Honda Magna are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (51 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (30), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (16). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda Magna with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Honda Magna owner drives around 334 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda Magna models stay on UK roads for around 44 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.