Used car guide

2004 Honda S2000: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Honda S2000s, from 683 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

683MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
3,700typical miles a year
19%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2004 Honda S2000 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    19% 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
    18% 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
    17% 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 electrics
    9% 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 mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Honda S2000?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006525Brakes 20%
2005696Suspension 17%
2003592Brakes 24%
2002596Suspension 22%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Honda S2000s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score