Common problems by part
Honda Insight body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 7,923 MOT tests · Updated
At 13 years, 2.0 in 100 MOT tests of the Honda Insight failed on body and structure, against 5.0 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 7,923 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.3–0.5×) (all test years), 156 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 7 ages from 10 to 16 years, 34,023 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases, 0.7 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
2.0 fails per 100 MOT tests at 13 years, against 5.0 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 13 (all test years). The Honda Insight fails less often here.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
Honda Insight body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2,401 | 0.8 | 2.9 |
| 11 | 3,826 | 1.1 | 3.5 |
| 12 | 6,343 | 1.5 | 4.3 |
| 13 | 7,923 | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| 14 | 6,621 | 2.8 | 5.9 |
| 15 | 4,851 | 3.5 | 6.7 |
| 16 | 2,058 | 4.7 | 7.6 |
All first-use years of the Honda Insight pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 13 years
Fails
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases: 0.7 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.2. Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases: 1.9 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 3.1. Exhaust system has a minor leak of exhaust gases MOT advisory
Buying a Honda Insight? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases.
Check one Honda Insight, not the average
The figures here describe Honda Insight cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Honda Insight's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Honda Insight problems
- Honda Insight suspension problems
- Honda Insight brakes problems
- Honda Insight lights and electrics problems
- Honda Insight steering problems
- Honda Insight exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- Honda Insight windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- Honda Insight tyres problems
- Honda Insight road wheels problems
Body and structure on rival models
- Ford Focus body and structure problems: 4.6 per 100 MOT tests at 13 years, against 2.0 for the Honda Insight (255,603 MOT tests)
- Vauxhall Astra body and structure problems: 5.9 per 100 MOT tests at 13 years, against 2.0 for the Honda Insight (197,340 MOT tests)
- BMW 1 Series body and structure problems: 2.0 per 100 MOT tests at 13 years, against 2.0 for the Honda Insight (98,293 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Honda Insight have more body and structure problems than other cars?
0.3 to 0.5 times the body and structure fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 13 years (all test years), from 7,923 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 3 of the 7 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Honda Insight body and structure problems?
2.0 in 100 MOT tests at 13 years failed on body and structure, against 5.0 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 7,923 MOT tests).
What is the most common Honda Insight body and structure fail?
0.7 in 100 MOT tests at 13 years: Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases (54 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 34,023 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare