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Honda Ballade (1989)

297 real MOT outcomes analysed • 59.5% first-time pass rate

1989 Honda Ballade

CarHunch analysed 297 real MOT records for the 1989 Honda Ballade. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 20.5% below UK average
59.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
68,787
typical mileage
51,578–86,558 middle half
8.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.62
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Honda Ballade

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Honda Ballade

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 Honda Ballade vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

51,578
low mileage
68,787
typical
86,558
high mileage

Half of all 1989 Honda Ballade vehicles fall between 51,578 and 86,558 miles.

1989 Honda Ballade — Still on the Road

10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017 — 77% of the peak remain.

13 10 2014 2017

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.

MOT History Averages

4.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.62
Avg failures per vehicle
3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Honda Ballade

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 33.3%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 27.7%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 19.7%
    Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 17%
    Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 15%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14%
    Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 13.7%
    Oil leak
  • 12.3%
    Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Honda Ballade?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Honda Ballade:

1987 1988