2008 Honda Jazz: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Honda Jazz?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Honda Jazz than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
  Honda Jazz

  21.8% All 2008 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Headlights1.9× usual
  Honda Jazz

  17.6% All 2008 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 4.1% of all 2008 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.

• Braking performance1.7× usual
  Honda Jazz

  11.3% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Front strut mounts and bushes6.1× usual
  Honda Jazz

  4.9% All 2008 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

Common 2008 Honda Jazz MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Honda Jazz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  48% 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
  43% 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.

• 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.

• 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
  11% 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
  10% 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.

Known faults on the 2008 Honda Jazz

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Brake recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered a brake pedal pin that could come off (cars built February to April 2010) and brake fluid leaks (2013).

  At the viewing: Ask a Honda dealer to check the VIN, and look for brake fluid leaks.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda Jazz Mk2 buying guide

• Creaks and rattles

  All engines

  Rear suspension can creak in cold weather, and a rear seat bar can rattle.

  At the viewing: Listen over bumps on the test drive.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda Jazz Mk2 buying guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Honda Jazz

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

1. Have the brake recalls been done?
2. Any creaks or rattles?
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Honda Jazz as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Honda Jazz as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2008 Honda Jazz as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?