Honda SZX50S-1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda SZX50S-1 car check
Is the Honda SZX50S-1 reliable? We analysed 1,756 real MOT tests across 235 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda SZX50S-1? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda SZX50S-1 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 shock absorber has inadequate damping effect.. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda SZX50S-1.
Honda SZX50S-1 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda SZX50S-1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda SZX50S-1 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda SZX50S-1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda SZX50S-1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda SZX50S-1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda SZX50S-1 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda SZX50S-1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda SZX50S-1 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda SZX50S-1 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 619 | 79.5% | 5,363 | 9,023 | 13,355 |
| 2002 | 1,021 | 77.9% | 6,184 | 11,200 | 17,396 |
| 2001 | 94 | 74.5% | 8,678 | 14,009 | 18,566 |
How Long Does a Honda SZX50S-1 Last?
Based on 235 Honda SZX50S-1 vehicles on UK roads.
Honda SZX50S-1 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda SZX50S-1 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 SZX50S-1
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.5% MOT pass rate from 619 tests
74.5% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda SZX50S-1 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.5% across 619 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda SZX50S-1 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda SZX50S-1 THIS CAR | 78.4% | 1,756 | 10,317 mi | 25 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 Sj 413QB Ja Samurai | 65.9% | 581 | 63,963 mi | 38 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda SZX50S-1 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda SZX50S-1 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 SZX50S-1Should you buy a used Honda SZX50S-1?
The Honda SZX50S-1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.4% across 1,756 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 SZX50S-1 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (97 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (92), and shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. (45). 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 SZX50S-1 owner drives around 900 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 SZX50S-1 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.