Honda Accord: what fails at MOT
30,000 MOT tests on the Honda Accord in 2024, counted. 37.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
37.4% of Honda Accord tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 40.1%, so the Accord is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (14.8% of tests), suspension (8.9% of tests) and brakes (7.8% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 610 | 20.2% | 27.7% | 75,400 52,500 to 107,800 |
| 2013 | 667 | 26.4% | 30.6% | 90,500 61,900 to 115,100 |
| 2012 | 1,667 | 28.1% | 33.4% | 105,700 78,800 to 141,000 |
| 2011 | 1,780 | 27.6% | 36.1% | 112,800 84,600 to 146,000 |
| 2010 | 1,687 | 27.6% | 38.6% | 121,900 91,700 to 154,400 |
| 2009 | 4,161 | 33.7% | 39.8% | 126,700 95,000 to 158,800 |
| 2008 | 3,844 | 36.8% | 41.5% | 129,600 99,200 to 161,700 |
| 2007 | 4,256 | 41.0% | 41.5% | 133,900 102,400 to 167,100 |
| 2006 | 3,756 | 44.4% | 42.4% | 133,600 103,000 to 169,600 |
| 2005 | 3,843 | 42.9% | 42.2% | 130,800 100,900 to 160,700 |
| 2004 | 3,227 | 44.0% | 42.3% | 129,900 101,100 to 159,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Honda Accord tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Accord | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.8% | 13.1% |
| Suspension | 8.9% | 10.8% |
| Brakes | 7.8% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.8% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.2% | 4.5% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 2.9% | 4.0% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 2.6% | 4.9% |
| Steering Less than most | 1.4% | 2.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light5.3%
- Headlamp aim5.0%
- Headlamp4.9%
- Ball joint3.7%
- Seat belt3.5%
- Brake pads2.7%
- Brake test2.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.3%
- Brake light2.2%
- Wipers2.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working5.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
- Brake light: not working2.0%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement11.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Ball joint: has slight play4.1%
- Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output4.1%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play3.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Honda Accord's own MOT record
Looking at a Accord? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.