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Honda ST Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda ST car check

Is the Honda ST reliable? We analysed 2,927 real MOT tests across 444 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,927 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
91.6%
Typical Mileage
17,176mi
Annual Mileage
1,456mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
55yrs

The Honda ST is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda ST.

Honda ST Number Plates

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

Honda ST MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

94.1%
2017
93.9%
2016
91.5%
2015
93.7%
2014
93%
2013
98.4%
1998
87.7%
1997
92.7%
1996
86.4%
1994
96.1%
1993
83.6%
1973
81.5%
1971

Honda ST Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 14
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 9
Horn not working 7
Direction indicators affected by the operation of another lamp 7
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 6
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 6

Honda ST Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Honda ST models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 18
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 12

Honda ST Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
348 mi/yr
Typical
1,456 mi/yr
Average
2,599 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,289 mi/yr

Honda ST MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 187 94.1% 7,547 13,650 28,162
2016 374 93.9% 9,280 15,436 31,373
2015 575 91.5% 12,938 23,398 35,746
2014 719 93.7% 9,946 18,538 30,188
2013 86 93.0% 8,423 15,753 28,337
1998 61 98.4% 15,981 29,231 69,079
1997 57 87.7% 17,042 33,637 48,544
1996 82 92.7% 37,863 63,361 89,143
1994 103 86.4% 28,014 52,406 77,504
1993 51 96.1% 7,140 16,612 33,808
1973 73 83.6% 858 4,866 9,910
1971 54 81.5% 883 1,682 9,648

How Long Does a Honda ST Last?

Based on 444 Honda ST vehicles on UK roads.

Average
18.3 years
Median
10.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
55 years

Honda ST Mileage Distribution

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

Median
17,176 mi
75th Percentile
34,391 mi
95th Percentile
82,440 mi
Max Recorded
169,999 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda ST

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

Best year
1998

98.4% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

Year to avoid
1971

81.5% MOT pass rate from 54 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda ST is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.4% across 61 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda ST Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda ST THIS CAR 91.6% 2,927 17,176 mi 55 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
Suzuki Dl 650 AL7 93.9% 1,844 11,748 mi — yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda ST outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda ST?

The Honda ST has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.6% across 2,927 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 ST are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (14 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (9), and horn not working (7). 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 ST 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 ST owner drives around 1,456 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 ST models stay on UK roads for around 55 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 ST — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda ST reliable?
Based on 2,927 MOT tests, the Honda ST has a 91.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda ST?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, roller brake test indicates a binding brake, and horn not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda ST do per year?
The typical Honda ST does around 1,456 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda ST last?
Most Honda ST models stay on UK roads for around 55 years based on our analysis of 444 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda ST?
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 ST?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda ST is 1998 with a 98.4% pass rate across 61 tests.