Honda Prelude (1998)
1998 Honda Prelude
CarHunch analysed 1,638 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Prelude. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Honda Prelude has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.9%, notably below the UK average of 80%, which suggests these cars are prone to developing faults as they age. More concerning, 27.7% have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—well above the threshold where buyer caution is warranted—so a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is essential.
At nearly 100,000 miles on the clock, these Preludes have covered typical mileage for their age, but they're averaging 3.67 failures and 13.9 advisories per test, indicating sustained wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, have a Honda specialist check the basics: suspension, exhaust, and braking components are clearly common pain points on this generation.
What to check before buying a 1998 Honda Prelude
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.
- ⚠️ 27.7% 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 Prelude
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 1,635 | 69.9% | 3.67 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 90.6% | 1.5 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 50% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Honda Prelude 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 1998 Honda Prelude vehicles fall between 76,880 and 116,706 miles.
1998 Honda Prelude — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 141 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (22% 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 — 1998 Honda Prelude
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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57.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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54.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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53.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.1%
Oil leak
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37.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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31.8%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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30.8%
Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Prelude?
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