Hybrid Honda Insight: MOT pass rate

79.3% of hybrid Honda Insights pass the MOT first time, measured across 4,129 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 122,028.

Hybrid against the other Honda Insight versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Hybrids sidestep most emissions failures and tend to do lighter urban miles, though the extra weight tells on tyres and brakes.

On the Honda Insight specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 79.3%, and this hybrid version sits 0.5 points above 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 hybrid Honda Insight had covered 122,028 miles at test, against 115,958 for the petrol and 124,181 for the electric. 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 hybrid Honda Insight

1. Headlamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.4% of tests (10.65x the national rate for this defect)
2. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 1.4% of tests (6.78x 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, 2% of tests (3.1x the national rate for this defect)
4. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.2% of tests (2.67x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.7% of tests (2.01x the national rate for this defect)
6. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.3% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
7. 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, 1.5% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
8. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect)
10. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 1.1% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,750 DVSA-tracked hybrid Honda Insight tests, 2024, split out from the Honda Insight's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.99% 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 hybrid 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, 11.4% of tests (10.34x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.8% of tests (2.25x the national rate for this defect)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.4% of tests (1.71x 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 (1.51x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
6. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.1% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.9% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 21% of tests
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 16.4% of tests
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 13.6% of tests

From 3,750 DVSA-tracked hybrid Honda Insight tests, 2024.

Other Honda Insight fuel types

• Petrol Honda Insight - 78.4%
• Electric Honda Insight - 78.3%

All Honda Insight MOT data · Every model