Used car guide

2009 Honda Jazz: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Honda Jazzs, from 23,240 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

23,240MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for headlamp

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Honda Jazzs than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Headlamp2.3× usual
    Honda Jazz
    18.7% All 2009 cars
    8.3%
    Rough price £40–£400

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Honda Jazz
    14.9% All 2009 cars
    8.7%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.8× usual
    Honda Jazz
    8.8% All 2009 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Body structure rust or damage1.9× usual
    Honda Jazz
    3% All 2009 cars
    1.6%
    Rough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Chassis rust or damage1.9× usual
    Honda Jazz
    3.2% All 2009 cars
    1.7%
    Rough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.2% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.4% here, against 11.1% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Honda Jazz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    34% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Rust and bodywork
    8% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Honda Jazz?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201916,765Tyres 25%
201820,160Tyres 25%
201717,923Tyres 25%
201618,370Tyres 26%
201517,755Tyres 26%
201420,095Tyres 27%
201321,145Tyres 28%
201221,517Tyres 28%
201119,949Brakes 29%
201021,624Lights and electrics 34%
200819,320Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Honda Jazzs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score