Jazz Reliability ......Good or Bad?

[guest4478]

Hi, My Name is Jonathan, I'm thinking seriously about buying a Honda Jazz Mk1, I hear there very reliable, but apparently servicing can be costly.
Can anyone share there view of the car and how I might find I will cope with it. Cheers. 

[guest4324]

Hi Jonathan, welcome.
My mum has had a UK 2003 1.4 manual Jazz for 9 years now and I have a Swiss 2009 1.4 manual since last summer. With regards to reliability I don't really think much needs to be said other than unless you're very unlucky you honestly can't go wrong. My mum has so far had to renew the battery last year and the windscreen washer motor, and that's it. I've not had mine long enough to give a longterm opinion but so far it's perfect and I used to have a Mk2 Prelude some time ago in the UK and that was also very reliable.
My mum has hers serviced by a neighbour who's a mechanic and it is far from expensive. Like with any car, as long as you change the oil regularly and filters etc. you should have no problems.
How you will cope with it really depends on what you want. The cabin inside is massive and very flexible, the boot is comparable to or even slightly bigger than a Ford Focus or VW Golf. They are very economical when driven normally (average would be around 45 - 53mpg). They are no boy racer's car and need to be revved quite high to get fast performance (typical for Honda), otherwise they are fine for around town and motorway.
They are perfect for a family with up to 2 kids I would say, or somebody who just needs a reliable, cheap to run runabout. In Switzerland they don't have the stupid "old person's car" reputation and are used by a lot of taxi companies. (that says a lot for cost and reliability!).
Criticisms I read from most people tend to be a slightly harsh ride.
On the newer Jazz like I have I read so many reviews from "professionals" criticising wind noise, quality of interior and glare from dash on windscreen. I honestly don't accept this at all, and I would take with a pinch of salt what the Jeremy Clarksons say and just look at owners' reviews to get a genuine opinion.

[guest1521]

If you want space for passengers or cargo, for its exterior size and overall costs the Honda Jazz is UNBEATABLE. I've seen it said that it's got more usable interior space than a Ford Focus for around Ford Fiesta money and that'd match my experience. 'Seats down' the flat cargo area is like a mini-van, 'seats up' it can accommodate '6-footers' in the back quite comfortably. It all depends on your purpose...

Reliability? More than one survey puts it top of all cars in the UK for several years running. Is it 7 years, now? I think it is very highly rated in other countries for reliability, too.

In the UK, Jazz is predominantly owned by 'mature people'. That could be very good news indeed for a used car buyer such as yourself as it will likely not have been 'thrashed' - as long as it has been used regularly and has not suffered short-running/shopping trolley syndrome. Look for one with a moderate number of miles on the odometer, rather than low miles...

Servicing costs? Depends largely, I guess, on whether servicing is at 'dealers' or not. Resale values mean that it's hard to justify servicing a car at 'dealers' after several years old - but that's my personal opinion. Also, the Mk 1 Jazz has 8 sparkplugs (4 are not easy to access) and (theoretically) requires tappets adjustment at 60,000 miles (I think.) Some on this forum through ownership experience assert that tappets adjustment does not appear to be really necessary. No cambelt to ever change, though...

Others will tell you about the possibility of water-leaks, wheel bearing failure and manual gearchange synchro failure... and what to watch out for.

I have a 2009 'GE' Jazz (later than 'Mk1') so can't comment as well as others might.

If you want space and versatility with reliability and overall low running costs, I doubt you'd ever regret buying a Jazz.

[emmerdale]

I am on 3rd Jazz my wife and I luv it ,yes I know this one is now just over 3 months old but I believe they will run forever excellent Reliability and fairly cheap running costs what more can be said

[guest3721]

I have had my 59 plate ES now just over a year and more than happy with it, yes the ride is firm. Usually its only my wife and I in the car.  All I can say is that I am totally please with the car thus far.

Regards Dave

[guest1521]

Jazz reliability TOP for cars for £3,000!
 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/articles/2010/09/cars/top-10-most-reliable-used-cars-for-3000

[richardfrost]

Hi Jonathon. I have two Jazzes. I bought a 2005 Mk1 1.4 SE in November when my company car went back. I have always driven larger cars, my last one being a Honda CR/V. I needed a car to tide me over for a few weeks until my new 'big car' was ready, and then to pass on to my son.

Well, I fell in love with the Jazz and preferred it over the CR/V. So I ended up buying another one for myself. I have only had them a few weeks so too early to talk about reliability, but I have had a few Hondas and never had any issues with them.

I love my new Jazz and my son loves his 2005 model. And the most amazing part? The insurance for him ( he is 20 and passed his test in September ) is just over £600. It would have been several thousand if I had bought him a Clio or a Corsa. This is where the 'old person's car' reputation is a huge benefit.

[ricksmith]

Hi jh
My partner is selling her 2005 jazz if you want anymore information.
Regards
Rick

[peteo48]

I think there are so many sources testifying to the reliability of the Jazz you would really have to be unlucky to get a dud.

I'm delighted with mine.

One note of caution - forums can give you a sense that almost any car is riddled with problems. This is simply because people come on forums to find solutions for issues and shouldn't be taken as meaning the car concerned is unreliable.

[jazzster]

I had 4 jazz's, 1ST one was need had 2 years no problems, others were 2nd hand, all have been CVT apart from present one, the second hand ones first was 2003 about 4 years old when I had it. only problem I had was start up clutch on CVT a known problem, which improved with oil flush and change, second one was 2005 and had same CVT problem which was still there after flush, but also had sticky steering, which garage said was "normal", present one is I-shift version, which I've had 8 months, no problems with it, the I-shift box is sometimes the best fun I've had with auto, but it has its quirks to not changing from 1st when cold until high revs. Even with the problems I have had, (all of which are known so if you having manual just check steering and main gearbox bearing), I love the Jazz's space and it's comfortable for the size, ok slightly bumpy ride, MPG is ok even for my short journey's, dealer are expensive for everything, so independents are best.

[guest2913]

One thing Honda never fail on is making sure that there workmanship doesn't end with the car when it left Suzuka but came with us to UK and stay with the car! my jazz has got 70k now, only changed pads and battery and she a beautiful runner even though it been in 3 car accidents, my grandad shuttle left us this time last year with 168k when I lorry totalled it! I'm sure your Jazz will become your best mate!

[guest4283]

Have a look at the following as well to get another perspective:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/jazz-2001/

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/carsearch/carsearch_cartest_reports.jsp?carTest=carTest&latestReports=n&modelID=A0&modelName=Jazz&makeName=Honda

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/recalls/recalls.jsp?modelID=Jazz&modelName=Jazz&makeName=Honda&makeId=B5

[culzean]

you can find bad things about any car - see this selection of popular models  reading most of the car reports makes me glad I drive a Honda  - at least Honda faults won't leave you stranded or cause car to crash, most are no more than 'niggles'

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ford/fiesta-2002/?section=good

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/nissan/qashqai-2007/?section=good

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/yaris-2006/?section=good

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/polo-iv-2002/?section=good

[guest4283]

I know Honest John can be relied upon to 'dish the dirt' on all makes like you say. Just try'n' to give a balanced thread. I've taken a punt on a 2nd hand Jazz after all.

The Ford fiesta auto loaner I used recently did not inspire confidence only have a few k miles and whining like a ... [insert your own preferred expletive here] in first gear.

[guest1521]

"Okay, if it was a hoot to drive, every other manufacturer would have no choice but to wander off into the sunset and shoot themselves. ... But it's no boy racer. And to most people on our traffic-clogged, Gatso infested roads, that's no problem at all." (HONEST JOHN)

So right!