2003 Honda S2000: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Honda S2000s, from 592 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2003 Honda S2000 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes24% 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.
- Suspension22% 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.
- Tyres19% 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.
- Lights and electrics13% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors10% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Rust and bodywork8% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 525 | Brakes 20% |
| 2005 | 696 | Suspension 17% |
| 2004 | 683 | Brakes 19% |
| 2002 | 596 | Suspension 22% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Honda S2000s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score