2005 Honda S2000

Highlights

• Great example of unmodified S2000
• Classic black and red colour scheme
• Very good condition inside and out
• Advisory-free MOT to May 2026
• Good service history

Overview

Some things are worth celebrating, especially landmark moments. And that’s why the Honda S2000 exists. 

Introduced on April 15, 1999, the Honda S2000 was the Japanese company’s 50th birthday present to itself – and what a gift it was. A rear-wheel-drive roadster with a fantastic VTEC powertrain and a wonderfully snappy gearshift is about as good as a birthday present gets, at least in our world. 

It was a productionised version of the S2000 concept car, which had been previewed four years earlier at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although toned down for production, the two-seater roadster was – and still is – an absolutely terrific car, powered by a punchy VTEC (Variable Valve Timing Lift Electronic Control) engine that really comes alive at the top of its rev range – and the red line is quite a way up at 9,000rpm.

The VTEC system, designed to outsmart Japan’s tax regime, changes the cam profile and provides better fuel consumption at low revs and increased performance at high revs, without the need for forced induction. In the S2000’s lightweight body, the 2.0-litre unit is a barrel of fun.

The end result, in the S2000’s case, is a light, powerful, ultra-high-revving rear-drive sports car that is an enthusiastic driver’s dream. 

This one has been in the care of the current owner since 2019 and comes with a comprehensive Honda service record. The vendor has reportedly only used the car in dry weather and it is supplied with an advisory-free MOT valid until May 2026. It has two keys, a recent health-check and the original book pack, and also comes with a car cover. 

It’s also finished in a classic colour scheme of black with red interior highlights, echoing Honda’s Type R lineage – it’s arguably the most sought-after colour combination for an S2000. With a low mileage and a lifetime of care behind it, this one’s a great future investment. 

 History and documentation

• First registered in the UK on May 23rd, 2005, by Andrew Green Exclusive Cars of Ilkley, West Yorkshire 

• Three previous owners

• UK V5C in the current owner’s name

• MOT until May 11th, 2026 – passed with no advisory notices

• Two keys

• Original handbook, dealer booklets and service book

• Service book stamped by a main dealer as follows: 2005 PDI; 2006 @ 8,309 miles, 2007 @ 13,943 miles, 2008 @ 15,356 miles, 2009 @ 29,433 miles, 2009 @ 46,400 miles, 2010 @ 38,281 miles, 2011 @ 48,068 miles, 2011 @ 48,160 miles, 2012 @ 55,061 miles, 2013 @ 59,431 miles, 2016 @ 63,213 miles, 2019 @ 63,253 miles, 2022 @ 64,714 miles, 2023 @ 66,013 miles, 2024 @ 66,307 miles

• Invoices to support recent services in current ownership

• Kept and stored in a garage and only used by current owner in fair weather

• Car cover 

• Invoice for replacement mohair hood in 2012

• Recent health check from Honda main agent is all clear aside from a leaking condenser (which has subsequently been checked and found to be OK) and some corrosion to the lower arm bushes

 Interior

• Original two-tone black and red leather interior

• High-back sports seats in superb order with some very slight bolster wear on the driver’s side

• Fully functional digital dash

• Quirky dash-mounted remote radio controls

• Fully functioning air conditioning, tested recently by an air con specialist

• S2000-branded kick plates

• Leather-trimmed door cards in excellent condition

• Red carpets in good condition

• Genuine S2000 factory floor mats replaced in 2019

• JVC KD-NX 5000 HD Navigation/DVD Receiver head unit in lieu of Honda original

• Minor delamination of the rear-view mirror

• Slight split in the trim on the driver’s door

Exterior

• Iconic Berlina Black

• Excellent mohair hood (replaced 2012) with no damage – electric folding function operates perfectly

• Very well presented overall with only a few minor stonechips and a couple of small dents on the passenger side

• No evidence of any prior accident damage 

• Factory 16-inch alloys with wheel centres recently replaced

• Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres with approximately 3000 miles wear, and 6mm or more tread on each

• Appears solid underneath and has never been welded

• Some very minor corrosion to offside rear wheelarch

• Sills appear very good, but with some light corrosion to one side that would benefit from treating

 Mechanical

• 2.0-litre VTEC 4cyl F20C engine

• 8,000 rpm red line

• Six-speed manual transmission

• 237bhp

• 0-60 in 5.8 sec/150mph top speed

• Fully serviced in November 2024

• The last two service checks highlighted both front lower arm bushes are slightly perished but have not recommended replacing

• The air con condenser was replaced two years ago and has recently been independently tested

• Described by the vendor as driving without fault

 Summary

The Honda S2000 is one of our top tips for an up and coming modern classic – prices of good ones are already on the up and finding one in this kind of condition is becoming increasingly hard. 

Buy it, and you’ll end up with an enthralling roadster with a great chassis, a wonderful gearbox and a rev-hungry VTEC powerplant that just keeps begging you to chase it all the way to the red line, which is when it truly comes alive.

Offered in very good all-round condition and with an impressive provenance, it’s a deeply appealing proposition. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Crowthorne, Berkshire.