Honda S2000 (2003)
2003 Honda S2000
CarHunch analysed 1,225 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda S2000. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Honda S2000 matches the UK average first-time pass rate at 80%, but nearly three in ten of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a significant concern for any used buyer. This is a sports car with genuine structural or safety risks baked into the older examples on the road.
These S2000s are running at a sensible 60,000 miles on average for their age, yet they rack up 3.5 failures and 16.7 advisories per test—well above what you'd expect from a well-maintained machine. Before committing, have an independent specialist inspect the chassis, brakes, and steering components, since the high dangerous defect rate suggests wear-related safety issues are the real story here rather than cosmetic neglect.
What to check before buying a 2003 Honda S2000
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.
- ⚠️ 28.2% 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 S2000
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,213 | 79.9% | 3.5 |
| Other (1%) | 12 | 90.3% | 0.67 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Honda S2000 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 S2000 vehicles fall between 44,146 and 76,712 miles.
2003 Honda S2000 — Still on the Road
575 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 61% of the peak remain.
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 S2000
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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91.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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86.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41.9%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
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34.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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30.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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28.4%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A'
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda S2000?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.