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Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 (1999-2009) reliability

At a glance

Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 built around 2004: fails its MOT less often than average

Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 models built around 2004 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Honda S2000 AP1/AP2?

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

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 models built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 models built around 2004 involves the tyres.

Honda S2000 AP1/AP2
excellent reliability1999-2009ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 5,614 tests of S2000 models registered 1999-2009.

About 1 in 20 S2000 AP1/AP2 MOTs (5.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2004 (21 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 813 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 4.4% and 7.6%. 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 25 S2000 AP1/AP2 MOTs (3.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2004 (21 years old).

Based on 813 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 2.7% and 5.4%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

AP1/AP2 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1226.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
33111.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
44813.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
53814.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
71513.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
71815.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
81315.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
75417.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
50818.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
28616.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
38116.5%

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 23 years old.

How the S2000 AP1/AP2 compares

At each age below, see how the S2000 AP1/AP2 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 31,734 tests across 8 Honda models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1226.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
33111.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
44813.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
53814.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
71513.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
71815.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
81315.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
75417.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
50818.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
28616.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
38116.5%

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

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

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 convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the S2000 AP1/AP2.

  1. 1

    MG TF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.9%

    No clear edge over the Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 on these figures.

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

    3,254 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,911 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.5%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 on these figures.

    4,112 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.3%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    No clear edge over the Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 on these figures.

    2,872 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

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

1 recall in all

1 S2000 AP1/AP2 recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Brake efficiency may be reduced

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

How S2000 AP1/AP2 cars have aged

How S2000 AP1/AP2 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%12141618202224Age at MOTBuilt around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (296 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (269 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (284 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (256 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 12.4% (258 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (235 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (235 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (232 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (239 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (239 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (358 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (324 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (329 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 14.4% (319 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 14.4% (320 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (447 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (424 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (416 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (403 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (388 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (564 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (532 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (519 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (494 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (486 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (609 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (592 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (598 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (537 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (538 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 19.0% (541 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (493 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (488 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 17.8% (445 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (432 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (454 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (423 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (420 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (365 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (375 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (186 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 18.1% (144 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (137 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (147 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (109 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (275 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 19.6% (270 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (224 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (206 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (207 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (56 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (50 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (52 tests, 2023 data)1999
First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
AP1/AP2 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Honda S2000 models of this age

This list covers every Honda S2000 built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the AP1/AP2 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    11.3%
    Advisory: 133Fail: 14 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    8.7%
    Advisory: 98Fail: 6 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.1%
    Advisory: 116Fail: 4 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    5.5%
    Advisory: 80Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    5.3%
    Advisory: 94Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 813 tests

Looking at a Honda S2000 AP1/AP2?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Honda S2000 AP1/AP2 (1999-2009) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 813 21-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 5,614 MOT tests on Honda S2000 models first registered between 1999-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.