Petrol Honda Insight: MOT pass rate

78.4% of petrol Honda Insights pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,242 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 115,958.

Petrol against the other Honda Insight versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Honda Insight specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 79.3%, and this petrol version sits 0.4 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 petrol Honda Insight had covered 115,958 miles at test, against 122,028 for the hybrid 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 petrol Honda Insight

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 1.5% of tests (7.19x the national rate for this defect)
2. 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, 3.2% of tests (3.35x 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, 1.6% of tests (2.48x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.2% of tests (1.74x the national rate for this defect)
5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.7% of tests (1.68x 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, 3.7% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
7. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1.7% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.2% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)
9. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.7% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.6% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,469 DVSA-tracked petrol Honda Insight tests, 2024, split out from the Honda Insight's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.58% 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 petrol 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, 9.6% of tests (8.71x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. 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, 5.4% of tests (3.55x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.7% of tests (2.99x the national rate for this defect)
4. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5.3% of tests (2.66x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.9% of tests (1.85x 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, 5.8% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.6% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 7.4% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 6.6% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 15.3% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,469 DVSA-tracked petrol Honda Insight tests, 2024.

Other Honda Insight fuel types

• Hybrid Honda Insight - 79.3%
• Electric Honda Insight - 78.3%

All Honda Insight MOT data · Every model