Used car guide · 2008–2015

Honda Jazz Mk2: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Honda Jazz Mk2 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 494,400 MOT tests.

2011best year: 75% pass first time, 13 points above all 2011 cars
2009weakest year: 66% pass first time, 7 points above all 2009 cars
Link ball joint coversthe weak spot that shows up in 5 different years

Which Honda Jazz Mk2 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Honda Jazz Mk2, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2008: 58% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 58% 2008*2009: 66% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 66% 20092010: 69% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 69% 20102011: 75% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 75% 20112012: 77% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 77% 20122013: 80% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 80% 20132014: 82% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 82% 20142015: 85% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%) 85% 2015*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2008*58%57% +1Rigid brake pipes 2.3× usual61,293
200966%59% +7Headlights 2.1× usual71,205
201069%60% +9Headlights 2.4× usual65,331
201175%62% +13Link ball joint covers 1.6× usual59,552
201277%64% +13Suspension arm 1.9× usual63,779
201380%67% +13Suspension arm 2.3× usual62,142
201482%70% +12Wipers 1.6× usual58,581
2015*85%74% +11Nothing unusual52,517

Common Honda Jazz Mk2 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Link ball joint coversup to 2× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    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.

  • Suspension armup to 2.3× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2014, 2013, 2012.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlightsup to 2.4× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2010, 2009.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

  • Brake padsup to 1.7× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2010, 2009.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Wipersup to 1.6× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2014, 2012.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

What usually goes wrong with the Honda Jazz Mk2?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Brake recalls

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

    Check: 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

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

    Check: Listen over bumps on the test drive.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Honda Jazz Mk2 buying guide

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Honda Jazz?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.