Honda Varadero Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Varadero car check
Is the Honda Varadero reliable? We analysed 1,087 real MOT tests across 105 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Varadero? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Varadero is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Varadero.
Honda Varadero Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Varadero. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Varadero MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Varadero to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Varadero Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Varadero fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Varadero Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda Varadero models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda Varadero Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Varadero owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Varadero MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Varadero year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 64 | 78.1% | 8,042 | 12,948 | 21,982 |
| 2009 | 144 | 78.5% | 10,546 | 16,754 | 21,927 |
| 2008 | 103 | 75.7% | 9,544 | 20,291 | 33,495 |
| 2007 | 193 | 77.2% | 7,668 | 15,802 | 28,200 |
| 2005 | 59 | 81.4% | 8,733 | 15,201 | 22,424 |
| 2004 | 117 | 83.8% | 9,372 | 20,090 | 35,769 |
| 2002 | 124 | 91.1% | 15,819 | 25,282 | 36,184 |
| 2001 | 84 | 86.9% | 18,188 | 31,740 | 45,295 |
How Long Does a Honda Varadero Last?
Based on 105 Honda Varadero vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Varadero Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Varadero 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 Varadero
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.1% MOT pass rate from 124 tests
75.7% MOT pass rate from 103 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Varadero is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.1% across 124 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Varadero Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Varadero THIS CAR | 81.9% | 1,087 | 17,683 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 |
| Audi A1 Citycarver 30 TFSI S-a | 91.7% | 1,969 | 21,953 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Varadero outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Varadero 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 VaraderoShould you buy a used Honda Varadero?
The Honda Varadero has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.9% across 1,087 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 Varadero are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (17 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (14), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (12). 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 Varadero 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 Varadero owner drives around 1,476 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 Varadero 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.