Buying Guides

Honda Jazz (2001-2007) Buying Guide

Pictures shown may not represent exact model specified

by Richard Dredge

While buyers flock to the Fiesta and Corsa, if you want a great supermini, it's the Jazz that consistently wins the awards. With its one-box design, the Jazz offers a more complete package than any of its rivals. Frankly, if you're after a small, cheap car that's reliable and practical, you'll struggle to find anything better than this.

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We Like	We Don't Like
Economy Reliability Practicality Versatility	High servicing costs CVT can be problematic

Key Dates
11/01	Jazz launched with 1.4-litre petrol engine only
5/02	Seven-speed CVT automatic transmission now offered
9/04	Car gets a facelift, with fresh lights front and rear plus standard equipment upgrades - plus revised suspension to improve handling. From this point on there's also a 1.2-litre petrol engine available

Checklist
Check it doesn't need a service soon; the Jazz is more costly to maintain than most of its rivals. Manual cars can suffer from a gear selection problem - but it's rare Rear door seals can crack, allowing water in Front footwell carpets can fit poorly on the passenger's side Cars used predominantly in urban traffic can suffer from blocked exhaust gas recirculation valves, leading to jerky running Air conditioning compressors can fail, so check everything works properly Belts can break in the CVT gearbox of a grey import; the car will be left stranded without warning Check the CVT fluid has been replaced at 25,000 miles; if not, problems can arise

Checklist

Check it doesn't need a service soon; the Jazz is more costly to maintain than most of its rivals.
Manual cars can suffer from a gear selection problem - but it's rare
Rear door seals can crack, allowing water in
Front footwell carpets can fit poorly on the passenger's side
Cars used predominantly in urban traffic can suffer from blocked exhaust gas recirculation valves, leading to jerky running
Air conditioning compressors can fail, so check everything works properly
Belts can break in the CVT gearbox of a grey import; the car will be left stranded without warning
Check the CVT fluid has been replaced at 25,000 miles; if not, problems can arise