2010 Honda FIT: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Honda FIT?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Honda FIT than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Rear fog light9.8× usual
  Honda FIT

  8.8% All 2010 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 0.9% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Headlights2.4× usual
  Honda FIT

  14.2% All 2010 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 3.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

• Link ball joint covers2× usual
  Honda FIT

  5.5% All 2010 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2010 Honda FIT MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Honda FIT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  23% 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
  22% 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.

• Brakes
  11% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Honda FIT

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 9.8× as often on the 2010 Honda FIT as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2010 Honda FIT as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2010 Honda FIT as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?