Used car guide

2004 Honda S2000: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Honda S2000 first registered in 2004: we looked at the 2,045 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,045MOTs of 2004 cars, done in 2023–2025
82%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
3,800typical miles a year
21%had brakes flagged

Common 2004 Honda S2000 MOT failures and advisories

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
    21% 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
    18% 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
    10% 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
    4% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Honda S2000

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

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

Every year of the Honda S2000 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20091,010Tyres 17%
2008832Suspension 14%
20071,391Tyres 18%
20061,617Brakes 19%
20052,091Suspension 18%
20031,853Brakes 23%
20021,835Suspension 20%
2001673Brakes 26%
2000946Brakes 23%
1999435Brakes 23%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Honda S2000 cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score