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Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) (2009-2014) reliability

Not enough data

Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) built around 2014: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) models built around 2014 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2009-2014HatchbackHYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY / PETROL / UNKNOWN

Based on 10,716 tests of Insight models registered 2009-2014.

ZE2 (2nd gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
9713.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
36122.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
82921.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,94523.0%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,77725.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,27726.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,43026.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

How the Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 64,060 tests across 8 Honda models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
9713.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
36122.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
82921.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,94523.0%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,77725.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,27726.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,43026.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Insight ZE2 (2nd gen).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 18.9%, against 22.4% for the Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen), both built around 2014.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    26,287 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    3.2%

    Lower fail rate: 16.6%, against 22.4% for the Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen), both built around 2014.

    1,222 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    4.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 19.8%, against 22.4% for the Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen), both built around 2014.

    10,541 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Peugeot 108

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.5%

    Lower fail rate: 19.5%, against 22.4% for the Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen), both built around 2014.

    3,363 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Honda Insight.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

5 of the 8 Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Passenger airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • Driver's airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • Drivers airbag may rupture if deployed

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) cars have aged

How Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%79111315Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (252 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.6% (233 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.1% (240 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (202 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (190 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (454 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.6% (459 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (400 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (334 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (331 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (1,550 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (1,271 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (1,100 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (1,078 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.2% (1,041 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (1,414 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (1,287 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (1,309 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (1,253 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (1,264 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.0% (2,163 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (2,176 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (2,124 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (2,134 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.5% (2,048 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (1,520 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (1,540 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (1,525 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (1,441 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (1,430 tests, 2025 data)2009
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
ZE2 (2nd gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Honda Insights of this age

This list covers every Honda Insight built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the ZE2 (2nd gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.1%
    Advisory: 60Fail: 5 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    13.8%
    Advisory: 65Fail: 3 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    13.0%
    Advisory: 54Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.4%
    Advisory: 32Fail: 7 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    9.1%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 4 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 361 tests

Looking at a Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Honda Insight ZE2 (2nd gen) (2009-2014) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 361 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 10,716 MOT tests on Honda Insights first registered between 2009-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.