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Honda Prelude reliability by build year

Coverage 1992-20012 named generationsCoupePETROL

We've only got 1,059 MOT tests for Honda Preludes built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Honda Prelude built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

Honda Preludes built before 2000 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Honda Prelude by number plate

Key figure

25% of MOT tests on Honda Preludes built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Honda Preludes built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Honda Prelude's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Prelude's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8)

5th gen (BB6/BB8) (1997-2001)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

25.4% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,059 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Honda Prelude.

See every build year for the Honda Prelude

By age

Honda Prelude fail rate by age

This chart combines every Honda Prelude ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6722.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,05925.4%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Honda Preludes

These issues come from 25+ year old Honda Preludes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    23.0%
    Advisory: 253Fail: 1 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    16.8%
    Advisory: 286Fail: 32 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    11.3%
    Advisory: 107Fail: 26 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.2%
    Advisory: 156Fail: 24 (13% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    11.1%
    Advisory: 151Fail: 64 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,059 MOT tests on 25+ year old Honda Preludes, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Honda Preludes notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension33%
  2. Fuel & oil + Suspension28%
  3. Body & structure + Suspension25%
  4. Emissions & exhaust + Suspension22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 583 MOT tests on Honda Prelude cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

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

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

2 recalls in all

1 of the 2 Honda Prelude recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Premature wear of steering lower ball joints

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar E-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 25.4% for the Honda Prelude, both built before 2000.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 13.1%, against 25.4% for the Honda Prelude, both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Porsche 944

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.7%
    Dangerous
    2.8%

    Lower fail rate: 19.0%, against 25.4% for the Honda Prelude, both built before 2000.

    2,477 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Jaguar XJS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.8%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 18.0%, against 25.4% for the Honda Prelude, both built before 2000.

    3,539 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Honda Prelude across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,059 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Honda Prelude ever sold: 1,126 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,059 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.