Honda Prelude (1995)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 94 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,088

£257/month

MOT Pass Rate

62%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2157cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

62% pass rate, £3,088/year to run. 20 points below average.

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Petrol2157cc31 years old94 tests115k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2157cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,088

Per month£257/mo

Per week£59/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

62% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 20 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Honda brand average of 84%.

62% of MOT tests on Honda Preludes from 1995 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 29 years old. That's based on 94 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 114,542 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1995 models206th of 221(bottom 8%)

Rank among Honda models400th of 402(bottom 1%)

vs average of all models-20%(82% avg)

vs 1995 models average-14%(76% avg)

vs Honda average-22%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

114,542

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1995 Honda Prelude had 114,542 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1995 scores 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Honda Prelude by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2000	77%	284	102,974 mi
1999	70%	550	111,821 mi
1998	71%	516	112,825 mi
1997	73%	512	112,419 mi
1996	83%	84	100,136 mi
1995	62%	94	114,542 mi
1994	83%	70	104,487 mi
1993	74%	97	98,396 mi
1992	93%	127	99,113 mi
1991	78%	141	108,003 mi
1990	84%	105	97,614 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1997 · 1800cc Petrol

£2,561/year

76%

+14%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,561/year

75%

+13%

BMW 3 Series

1997 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

+17%

Volkswagen Golf

1997 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

+12%

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About the 1995 Honda Prelude

The 1995 Honda Prelude is a family car. Our records list a 2157cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 94 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 8% of 1995 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 114,542 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Honda Prelude owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1995 Honda Prelude Fuel Costs

The 2157cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1995 Honda Prelude?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,088 (£257/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 62% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Honda Prelude Reliability Trend

Older Honda Preludes tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 12 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1995 Honda Prelude

At 31 years old, the Honda Prelude is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. Note: with only 94 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 31 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 115k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 62% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1995 Honda Prelude stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Honda Prelude(1995)	62%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£3,088
Mazda MX-5(1997)	76%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£527
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£527
BMW 3 Series(1997)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£200
Volkswagen Golf(1997)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£527

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1995 Honda Prelude

Is the 1995 Honda Prelude reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 62% of MOT tests on 1995 Honda Preludes ended in a pass, from 94 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 20 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1995 Honda Prelude cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,088 a year (£257 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1995 Honda Prelude?

62% of 94 MOT tests on the 1995 Honda Prelude ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 206th of 221 models first registered in 1995 (bottom 8%).

Which year Honda Prelude has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 Honda Prelude has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 1999 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1995 Honda Prelude?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1995 Honda Prelude is 114,542 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.