Honda Jazz (2003)
2003 Honda Jazz
CarHunch analysed 18,257 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Jazz. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Honda Jazz has a first-time pass rate of 77.6%, slightly below the UK average of 80%, which is a minor concern but not alarming for a car of this age. However, one in three of these vehicles (34.2%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and suggests buyers should budget for potential safety-related repairs.
At a median mileage of around 65,650 miles for a 21-year-old car, these Jazzes are relatively well-preserved, though they're averaging 4.6 failures and 26.7 advisories per test, indicating widespread wear across multiple systems. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes and suspension history, since dangerous defects are this common in the used market.
What to check before buying a 2003 Honda Jazz
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.
- ⚠️ 34.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Jazz
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 18,241 | 77.6% | 4.6 |
| Diesel (0%) | 8 | 77% | 4.5 |
| Other (0%) | 7 | 78.9% | 1.29 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 94.1% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Honda Jazz 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.
Half of all 2003 Honda Jazz vehicles fall between 49,967 and 82,206 miles.
2003 Honda Jazz — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 4,852 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (29% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Honda Jazz
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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74.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.1%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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66.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.4%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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57.1%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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47.1%
Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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45.9%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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41.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Jazz?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.