Electric Honda Insight: MOT pass rate

78.3% of electric Honda Insights pass the MOT first time, measured across 1,211 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 124,181.

Electric against the other Honda Insight versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

No exhaust, no emissions test and far fewer moving parts, which is why EVs post the highest pass rates of any fuel type. Tyres and suspension take the load instead, since they are heavier.

On the Honda Insight specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 79.3%, and this electric version sits 0.5 points below the 78.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average electric Honda Insight had covered 124,181 miles at test, against 122,028 for the hybrid and 115,958 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Honda Insight page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a electric Honda Insight

1. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 1.5% of tests (4.73x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., 1.8% of tests (3.36x the national rate for this defect)
3. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.7% of tests (2.57x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.3% of tests (2.4x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.8% of tests (2.07x the national rate for this defect)
6. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 4.2% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.5% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this defect)
8. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.2% of tests (1.79x the national rate for this defect)
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.5% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.2% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,367 DVSA-tracked electric Honda Insight tests, 2024, split out from the Honda Insight's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.44% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a electric Honda Insight

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 11.3% of tests (10.25x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.5% of tests (3.65x the national rate for this defect)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5% of tests (2.53x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.4% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 5.8% of tests (2.18x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.8% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.8% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 20.3% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 15.7% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 11.6% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect), also fails

From 1,367 DVSA-tracked electric Honda Insight tests, 2024.

Other Honda Insight fuel types

• Hybrid Honda Insight - 79.3%
• Petrol Honda Insight - 78.4%

All Honda Insight MOT data · Every model