2011 Honda Jazz: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Honda Jazz?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Honda Jazz than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Link ball joint covers1.6× usual
  Honda Jazz

  3.9% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Honda Jazz MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Honda Jazz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  28% 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
  22% 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
  20% 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.

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

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

Known faults on the 2011 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 2011 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 link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Honda Jazz as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?