Honda Smx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Smx car check
Is the Honda Smx reliable? We analysed 2,219 real MOT tests across 153 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Smx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Smx is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Smx.
Honda Smx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Smx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Smx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Smx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Smx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Smx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Smx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Smx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Smx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Smx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 341 | 70.1% | 97,261 | 128,999 | 158,519 |
| 2008 | 688 | 66.3% | 108,230 | 134,052 | 159,279 |
| 2007 | 107 | 70.1% | 108,932 | 131,620 | 149,625 |
| 1999 | 50 | 80.0% | 69,562 | 90,733 | 111,237 |
| 1998 | 69 | 71.0% | 68,887 | 104,496 | 121,762 |
| 1997 | 647 | 68.8% | 102,777 | 130,856 | 161,096 |
| 1996 | 189 | 65.6% | 108,436 | 130,872 | 164,314 |
How Long Does a Honda Smx Last?
Based on 153 Honda Smx vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Smx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Smx 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 Smx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
65.6% MOT pass rate from 189 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Smx is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.0% across 50 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Smx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Smx THIS CAR | 68.4% | 2,219 | 128,166 mi | 30 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 |
| Leyland Daf Fa 45.130 | 70.1% | 940 | 217,520 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Smx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Smx 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 SmxShould you buy a used Honda Smx?
The Honda Smx has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.4% across 2,219 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Honda Smx are steering rack gaiter split (168 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (123), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (64). 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 Smx owner drives around 5,603 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 Smx models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.