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Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) (1997-2001) reliability

At a glance

Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) models 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.

Looking at a Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) right now?

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

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) models 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 Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) models built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1997-2001CoupePETROL

Based on 754 tests of Prelude models registered 1997-2001.

About 1 in 7 Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) MOTs (15.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 687 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 12.7% and 18.0%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) MOTs (4.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 687 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 3.3% and 6.5%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

5th gen (BB6/BB8) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6722.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
68726.8%

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.

How the Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) compares

At each age below, see how the Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 12,461 tests across 8 Honda models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6722.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
68726.8%

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.

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.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8).

  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 26.8% for the Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8), 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 26.8% for the Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8), both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    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 26.8% for the Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8), both built before 2000.

    3,539 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    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 26.8% for the Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8), both built before 2000.

    2,477 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.

Recall context

2 recalls in all

1 of the 2 Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) 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.

What has gone wrong on Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,525 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
40%
Suspension
38%
Drivetrain
18%
Bodywork
12%
Steering
11%

Wear items

Brakes
58%
Lighting
50%
Tyres
37%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 19% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Prelude tests (not specific to 5th gen (BB6/BB8)).

1.4 to 2.0 litres28.1%519 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres22.7%538 tests
How Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) cars have aged

How Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) 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.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%2122232425Age at MOTBuilt around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (190 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (174 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (147 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (133 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (117 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (151 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (123 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (112 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (123 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (167 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (155 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (133 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (144 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (120 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 2000First registered around 1999First registered around 1998First registered around 1997
5th gen (BB6/BB8) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Honda Preludes of this age

This list covers every Honda Prelude built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 5th gen (BB6/BB8) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Honda Prelude 5th gen (BB6/BB8) (1997-2001) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 687 25+ 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 754 MOT tests on Honda Preludes first registered between 1997-2001. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.