Model reliability

Honda Insight reliability

The Honda Insight fails its MOT less often than most cars over 10 years old: 30% of 8,210 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

6 to 10 years old

22.9% failed their MOT

About average

From 895 MOT tests of Honda Insights this age. A small sample, so take it as a rough guide: a few cars either way can move these figures.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenPosition lamps4.5% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Fails 2× as oftenHeadlamps3.8% vs 1.7%Fix about £30

Fails 2× as oftenRegistration plate lamp(s)2.3% vs 1%Fix about £30

Fails 60% more oftenAnti-roll bars1.6% vs 1%

Advised 24× as oftenHeadlamps4.8% vs 0.2%Fix about £30

Advised 60% more oftenShock absorbers4.8% vs 3%Fix about £200

Over 10 years old

30% failed their MOT

Better than most

From 8,210 MOT tests of Honda Insights this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Advised 3× as oftenHeadlamps11% vs 3.7%Fix about £30

Advised 89% more oftenSteering linkage components5.3% vs 2.8%

Safety recalls

8 DVSA recalls for the Honda Insight

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2019/24329 Aug 2019Built 2000–2014Possible air bag inflator rupture

Passenger air bag may not deploy correctly.

Fix: The inflator inside the passenger�s airbag module is to be replaced.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 122,397 vehicles

R/2019/24529 Aug 2019Built 2003–2011Possible air bag inflator rupture

Driver air bag may not deploy correctly.

Fix: The inflator inside the drivers airbag module is to be replaced.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 43 vehicles

R/2018/34230 Jan 2019Built 2010–2015Takata passenger airbag inflator may rupture

Passenger airbag inflators may not operate as intended.

Fix: Replacement of Airbag Assembly on affected vehicles.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 119,827 vehicles

R/2018/02923 Feb 2018Built 2009–2010Passenger airbag may fail to deploy correctly

The propellant used in certain air bag inflators may degrade over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. In the event that the airbag is activated it may overinflate due to overly aggressive combustion of the propellant. The excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material possibly causing severe injury to the vehicle occupants.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the airbag inflator unit.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 20,298 vehicles

R/2016/0181 Apr 2016Built 2012–2013Driver's airbag may fail to deploy correctly

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the driver's air bag inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the driver's air bag module.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 913 vehicles

R/2015/14323 Oct 2015Built 2007–2011Drivers airbag may rupture if deployed

Due to abnormal pressure the driver's air bag inflator case may rupture during deployment. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled into the passenger compartment potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the drivers airbag module.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 52,991 vehicles

R/2015/10429 Jun 2015Built 2003–2008Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

Abnormal deployment pressure may lead to rupture of the inflator case. In the event of an inflator rupture metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield or downward toward the front passenger�s foot well potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: On affected vehicles replace the inflator inside the front passenger�s airbag module with a new one.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 242,653 vehicles

R/2004/03424 May 2004Built 1999–2000Low beam headlights may not operate.

Dipped beam headlights may malfunction either when switched on or during driving.

Fix: Recall likely to be affected vehicles and replace the headlight switch with a modified part. Additionally the terminal for dipped beam operation within the wiring harness will also be changed in order to rectify any heat damage that may have occurred.

Recalled models: INSIGHT · 44,055 vehicles

Show all 8 recalls

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Honda Insight before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Honda Insight reliability

8 DVSA recalls for the Honda Insight

Checking a Honda Insight before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.