Common problems by part
Honda Jazz exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 90,289 MOT tests · Updated
At 15 years, 3.6 in 100 MOT tests of the Honda Jazz failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 5.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 90,289 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 (0.6× (0.60–0.64×)) (all test years), 3,230 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 21 ages from 3 to 23 years, 1,350,206 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits, 1.4 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
3.6 fails per 100 MOT tests at 15 years, against 5.7 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 15 (all test years). The Honda Jazz fails less often here.
Why it matters
An exhaust, emissions and leaks fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.
Honda Jazz exhaust, emissions and leaks fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 53,300 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| 4 | 62,500 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| 5 | 65,874 | 0.1 | 1.0 |
| 6 | 73,662 | 0.1 | 1.3 |
| 7 | 74,540 | 0.1 | 1.7 |
| 8 | 73,724 | 0.1 | 2.1 |
| 9 | 76,409 | 0.2 | 2.4 |
| 10 | 79,270 | 0.2 | 2.8 |
| 11 | 82,656 | 0.3 | 3.2 |
| 12 | 85,259 | 0.5 | 3.7 |
| 13 | 88,929 | 0.7 | 4.3 |
| 14 | 89,075 | 1.9 | 5.1 |
| 15 | 90,289 | 3.6 | 5.7 |
| 16 | 88,276 | 5.1 | 6.2 |
| 17 | 79,710 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| 18 | 69,131 | 7.8 | 6.8 |
| 19* | 53,509 | 8.2 | 7.0 |
| 20* | 35,616 | 8.4 | 7.0 |
| 21* | 18,560 | 8.7 | 7.1 |
| 22* | 7,794 | 8.3 | 7.0 |
| 23* | 2,123 | 8.1 | 6.9 |
All first-use years of the Honda Jazz pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.
What fails in the exhaust, emissions and leaks at 15 years
Fails
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits: 1.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.1. Petrol exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits MOT fail
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction: 1.0 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.6. Diagnose engine warning light: estimated £39–£78 (0.5–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction MOT fail
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Honda Jazz? 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
By engine and fuel
- 1.3 petrol: 3.5 per 100 at 15 years, fails less often than petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (0.6× (0.55–0.60×)) (all test years; 74,593 MOT tests)
- 1.2 petrol: 3.8 per 100 at 15 years, fails less often than petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (0.6–0.7×) (all test years; 15,453 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.
Check one Honda Jazz, not the average
The figures here describe Honda Jazz cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Honda Jazz'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 Jazz problems
Exhaust, emissions and leaks on rival models
- Ford Fiesta exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 5.5 per 100 MOT tests at 15 years, against 3.6 for the Honda Jazz (302,723 MOT tests)
- Vauxhall Corsa exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 8.3 per 100 MOT tests at 15 years, against 3.6 for the Honda Jazz (195,842 MOT tests)
- MINI Cooper and One exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 13.2 per 100 MOT tests at 15 years, against 3.6 for the Honda Jazz (126,924 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Honda Jazz have more exhaust, emissions and leaks problems than other cars?
0.60 to 0.64 times the exhaust, emissions and leaks fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 15 years (all test years), from 90,289 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 8 of the 21 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Honda Jazz exhaust, emissions and leaks problems?
3.6 in 100 MOT tests at 15 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 5.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 90,289 MOT tests).
What is the most common Honda Jazz exhaust, emissions and leaks fail?
1.4 in 100 MOT tests at 15 years: Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (1,274 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, 1,350,206 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. 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