Does the Honda Prelude fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Honda Prelude records 37.14 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 26.00 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+11.14, 95% interval +9.78 to +12.51). It ranks 47 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Honda Prelude by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Honda Prelude is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 1,124 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 1,124 | 14.59 |
| 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 | 682 | 8.85 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 486 | 6.31 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 210 | 2.73 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 175 | 2.27 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,705 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Honda Prelude gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
30.6% of Honda Prelude MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 1,516 miles later (1,341 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,341 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Honda Prelude by postcode area · Honda Prelude body, chassis and structure failures · Honda Prelude brakes failures · Honda Prelude vehicle identification failures · Honda Prelude lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Honda Prelude noise, emissions and leaks failures · Honda Prelude seat belts and airbags failures · Honda Prelude steering failures · Honda Prelude tyres failures · Honda Prelude visibility failures