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Honda SZX50X-1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda SZX50X-1 car check

Is the Honda SZX50X-1 reliable? We analysed 1,542 real MOT tests across 210 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,542 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.1%
Typical Mileage
10,208mi
Annual Mileage
1,041mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Honda SZX50X-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 SZX50X-1.

Honda SZX50X-1 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda SZX50X-1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda SZX50X-1 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda SZX50X-1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.9%
2003
77.9%
2002

Honda SZX50X-1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda SZX50X-1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 81
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 72
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 37
Tyre tread not clearly visible 25
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 24
Headlamp aim too high 23
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 21
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 17
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 13
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 12

Honda SZX50X-1 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda SZX50X-1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
354 mi/yr
Typical
1,041 mi/yr
Average
1,533 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,095 mi/yr

Honda SZX50X-1 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda SZX50X-1 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 869 79.9% 6,102 10,346 14,784
2002 665 77.9% 6,204 10,027 15,212

How Long Does a Honda SZX50X-1 Last?

Based on 210 Honda SZX50X-1 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.1 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Honda SZX50X-1 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda SZX50X-1 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
10,208 mi
75th Percentile
14,841 mi
95th Percentile
24,933 mi
Max Recorded
118,829 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda SZX50X-1

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

Best year
2003

79.9% MOT pass rate from 869 tests

Year to avoid
2002

77.9% MOT pass rate from 665 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda SZX50X-1 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.9% across 869 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda SZX50X-1 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda SZX50X-1 THIS CAR 79.1% 1,542 10,208 mi 24 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
Mazda CX-5 GT Sport D 4X4 Auto 91.6% 559 30,800 mi — yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda SZX50X-1 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda SZX50X-1?

The Honda SZX50X-1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.1% across 1,542 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 SZX50X-1 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (81 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (72), and shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. (37). 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 SZX50X-1 owner drives around 1,041 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 SZX50X-1 models stay on UK roads for around 24 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 SZX50X-1 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda SZX50X-1 reliable?
Based on 1,542 MOT tests, the Honda SZX50X-1 has a 79.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda SZX50X-1?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and shock absorber has inadequate damping effect.. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda SZX50X-1 do per year?
The typical Honda SZX50X-1 does around 1,041 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda SZX50X-1 last?
Most Honda SZX50X-1 models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 210 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda SZX50X-1?
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 SZX50X-1?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda SZX50X-1 is 2003 with a 79.9% pass rate across 869 tests.