One of the most reliable sports cars ever built. The naturally aspirated F22C1 engine is bulletproof with no timing belt, using a chain instead. AP2 improvements over AP1 include upgraded valve retainers (no cracking issues), lower redline but more usable torque, and refined suspension. Main concerns: soft top tears, rear wheel bearings from heat buildup, timing chain tensioner rattle at 80,000+ km, and rust in wheel arches (especially rear). Secondary air pump can fail but doesn't affect driving. Transmission may pop out of gear (TSB available). Regular valve adjustments important for high-mileage examples.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€700 - €1,250/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€500-800
Risk buffer
€200-450
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Soft top tears at lock handle/rear€800 - €2,000
Extremely common - nearly every third S2000 has torn soft top · more· less
The convertible top is the most common issue on the S2000. Tears typically occur at the lock handle area or the right rear section. Wind noise and poor heat insulation are also common complaints. Aftermarket soft tops range from €400-800, while OEM Honda tops cost €800-1,500+. Professional installation adds €300-600 in labor (4-8 hours). Premium brands like Robbins cost €500-900 and are highly regarded by S2000 owners. Many owners eventually need a replacement, making this almost inevitable for cars over 10 years old.
Rear wheel arch rust corrosion€400 - €1,600
Rusts from inside out between metal panels, especially in wet climates · more· less
Honda didn't add much rust protection underneath. The rear arches rust between outer and inner panels, often invisible until paint bubbles appear. The long rubber trim covering the pinch weld holds water against metal, accelerating corrosion. Most common in European countries that use road salt. Typically appears on cars 10+ years old. Proper repair costs £300-400 (€350-470) per side including paint at independent shops. Prevention: remove rubber trim, clean both sides, coat with rubberized rockerguard. Once visible on outer panel, inner arch has likely rusted through.
Timing chain tensioner rattle€400 - €1,000
Distinctive cold start rattle for 1-30 seconds, common after 80,000 km · more· less
The timing chain tensioner has a release valve that weakens over time, allowing oil pressure to bleed off overnight. This causes a rattle on cold starts, typically appearing between 60,000-100,000 km. The part costs around £150/$190 (€170-220) and is reasonably easy to DIY. Modified replacement units are stronger than OEM Honda parts. If ignored, the chain can skip and cause catastrophic valve/piston contact. You'll usually have audible warning well before failure. This is preventative maintenance, not an emergency, but should not be delayed once rattling persists beyond a few seconds.
Rear wheel bearing noise/failure€300 - €800
Solid rear discs transfer heat to bearings, causing premature wear · more· less
The S2000 has a solid, non-vented rear disc brake setup. Heat from the brakes transfers directly to the wheel bearing, causing faster wear than typical. Symptoms include humming or growling noise that increases with speed, changing tone during turns. OEM Honda bearings cost €50-150 each, aftermarket (Koyo, NSK, SKF) €30-80 each. Labor is 1-2 hours per side (€100-250) as bearings are pressed-in and require hydraulic press. Worse with aggressive driving or aftermarket wheels with aggressive offsets. Many owners replace both sides at once if one fails.
Secondary air injection pump failure€2,300 - €2,400
Expensive emissions equipment, but doesn't affect drivability · more· less
The secondary air pump injects air into the catalytic converter at cold start to reduce emissions. When it fails, you get check engine light with codes P0410, P0411, P1410, P1415, or P1416, but the car drives normally. Replacement costs €2,335-2,380 at shops. Since it's emissions-only equipment and not needed for engine operation, many owners install an electronic air pump simulator (€100-200) that tricks the ECU and eliminates the check engine light. This is a legal gray area for emissions testing. The air pump itself is a relatively affordable part, but dealer markup is high.
Gear lever pops out under load, TSB available but requires rebuild · more· less
The gear lever can pop out of 2nd, 4th, or 6th gear, especially under load. This indicates worn synchronizers or shift fork issues. Honda issued a Technical Service Bulletin for this problem. Gears may also grind in cold weather, especially 2nd gear - let fluids warm up before spirited driving. Repair requires transmission rebuild or replacement. DIY rebuild kit costs €300-600, professional rebuild €1,500-3,000+ with labor. Used transmission €1,000-2,500 plus €500-1,000 labor. More common in high-mileage or hard-driven cars. S2000 specialists often have better pricing than general mechanics.
Suspension bushings wear€400 - €1,200
Clunking noises and handling vagueness after 90,000 km · more· less
Stock rubber bushings begin to sag and wear around 90,000 km, though some last to 140,000 km. Symptoms include clunking noises, vibrations, unpredictable handling through corners, and metal-on-metal contact. Replacement options: OEM rubber (stock feel), polyurethane (Powerflex, Prothane, Energy Suspension - firmer, longer lasting, slight NVH increase), or hardened rubber (Hard Race - good performance/comfort balance). Full suspension bushing kit costs vary: basic polyurethane €300-600, premium options €800-1,200. Labor is time-consuming (arms can be done one at a time). Spoon and Mugen offer premium Japanese options for track-focused cars.
Clutch replacement (high mileage)€800 - €1,500
Stock clutch lasts 150,000+ km with proper use, eventual wear item · more· less
The S2000 clutch is known for exceptional longevity - many owners report 160,000+ km on the original clutch. Parts (pressure plate and friction disk) cost €350-450, lightweight flywheel adds another €350-400 if desired. Labor is expensive: Honda dealers quote 10 hours at ~€85/hour (€850), though independent shops charge €700-1,000 for labor. Total typical cost €800-1,500. Avoid dealership rip-offs - one owner was charged $5,328 (€4,900), which is excessive. Since labor dominates cost, consider upgrading to performance clutch if replacement is needed. Clutch slave/master cylinder may also need attention at high mileage (€300-500).
Exceptionally reliable for a sports car, mostly wear items
The S2000 AP2 is widely considered one of the most reliable sports cars ever made. The F22C1 engine is bulletproof, with many examples exceeding 300,000 km. Oil consumption issues that plagued early AP1 models were completely resolved in the AP2. The upgraded valve retainers eliminate the cracking problems from AP1. Most issues are predictable wear items (bushings, bearings, soft top) rather than catastrophic failures. Proper maintenance is critical given the high-revving nature of the engine.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete maintenance records essential. Verify oil changes every 7,500-12,000 km. Check for valve adjustment history after 100,000 km.
Cold start test
Engine must be completely cold. Listen for timing chain tensioner rattle in first 30 seconds. Brief rattle is normal, persistent rattle needs attention.
Test drive minimum 30 minutes
Include highway speeds, spirited driving, slow parking lot figure-eights. Engine should pull cleanly to 8,000 RPM.
Compression test
Professional PPI should include compression test. Pay special attention to cylinder #4 (oil starvation from hard driving).
Specific for this vehicle
Inspect soft top thoroughly
Check for tears at lock handle and right rear. Test operation multiple times. Look for wind noise and water leaks. Nearly inevitable repair.
Check wheel arches for rust
Examine rear wheel arches carefully, both inside and out. Look for paint bubbling. Rust starts between panels, invisible until advanced.
Listen for rear wheel bearing noise
Humming/growling that increases with speed. Changes pitch during turns. Very common failure due to heat from solid rear discs.
Test all gears thoroughly
Drive through all gears multiple times. Check for pop-out, especially 2nd, 4th, 6th under load. Feel for grinding when cold.
Verify glass has Honda logos
Replacement glass could indicate minor damage or theft/accident history. Original glass has Honda markings.
Check engine oil level and condition
High-revving VTEC engines consume some oil. Check if oil is topped up regularly. AP2 should not have excessive consumption.
Inspect for modifications
Note any aftermarket parts. Some mods (like timing chain tensioner upgrade) are positive. Avoid heavily modified track cars.
Look underneath for damage
Low ground clearance means undercarriage scrapes are common. Check for bent exhaust, damaged undertray, oil pan dents.
Test clutch engagement and feel
Should engage smoothly without slipping. Stock clutch lasts 150,000+ km, so premature wear suggests abuse.
Convertible top torn at lock handleTSB available (known issue)
MIL with DTC P1172 or P2A00 (2006+)TSB available
Transmission pops out of 4th gearTSB available
Grinding when shifting into 2nd gearTSB available
Taillight side markers (noncompliance)2004 recall - verify completed
The S2000 has 130+ Technical Service Bulletins covering various issues. Most are minor. Check S2KI.com forums for comprehensive TSB database. Contact Honda dealer with VIN to verify safety recalls completed.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years/100,000 km)Expired on all AP2 models
Extended warranty availabilityLimited options for 15+ year old cars
Classic car insuranceAvailable for 15+ year models
All 2004-2009 S2000s are outside original factory warranty. Extended warranties are rarely available for cars this age. Consider classic/collector car insurance which may offer better coverage and lower premiums for limited-use vehicles. Netherlands: check Independer.nl or classic car specialists.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.