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Honda Sfx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Honda Sfx reliable? We analysed 9,316 real MOT tests across 1,535 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 9,316 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.9%
Typical Mileage
8,835mi
Annual Mileage
662mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Honda Sfx is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and tyre tread not clearly visible. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Sfx.

Honda Sfx Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda Sfx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda Sfx MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda Sfx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.8%
2003
82.7%
2002
81.6%
2001
79.7%
2000
80.1%
1999
77.1%
1998
78.9%
1997
76%
1996
79.1%
1995

Honda Sfx Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda Sfx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 207
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 187
Tyre tread not clearly visible 173
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 117
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 115
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 95
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 90
Headlamp aim too high 77
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 76
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 71

Honda Sfx Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda Sfx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
216 mi/yr
Typical
662 mi/yr
Average
1,210 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,400 mi/yr

Honda Sfx MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Sfx year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 1,539 79.8% 4,572 7,749 12,790
2002 1,402 82.7% 4,180 7,221 11,096
2001 1,203 81.6% 4,517 7,720 12,813
2000 1,627 79.7% 5,496 8,981 13,908
1999 1,168 80.1% 6,145 9,594 14,704
1998 1,023 77.1% 6,236 10,118 14,841
1997 711 78.9% 6,323 10,769 15,479
1996 501 76.0% 7,281 12,401 16,762
1995 115 79.1% 8,048 10,874 13,694

How Long Does a Honda Sfx Last?

Based on 1,535 Honda Sfx vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.7 years
Median
11.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Honda Sfx Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda Sfx MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
8,835 mi
75th Percentile
13,796 mi
95th Percentile
23,251 mi
Max Recorded
235,995 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Sfx

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2002

82.7% MOT pass rate from 1,402 tests

Year to avoid
1996

76.0% MOT pass rate from 501 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda Sfx is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.7% across 1,402 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda Sfx Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda Sfx THIS CAR 79.9% 9,316 8,835 mi 31 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
Daihatsu Extol 74.8% 16,050 58,444 mi 23 yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Sfx sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda Sfx?

The Honda Sfx has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.9% across 9,316 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 Sfx are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (207 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (187), and tyre tread not clearly visible (173). 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.

A typical Honda Sfx owner drives around 662 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 Sfx models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.

Honda Sfx — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda Sfx reliable?
Based on 9,316 MOT tests, the Honda Sfx has a 79.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda Sfx?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and tyre tread not clearly visible. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda Sfx do per year?
The typical Honda Sfx does around 662 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda Sfx last?
Most Honda Sfx models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 1,535 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda Sfx?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Honda Sfx?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda Sfx is 2002 with a 82.7% pass rate across 1,402 tests.