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Honda Accord reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 304,636 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2015.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
59.9%pass first time
+4.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 65%of cars
304,636MOT tests

Verdict

The Honda Accord passes its MOT first time on 59.9% of tests, 4.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (55.6%). That puts it ahead of 65% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2009 Accord does best (beats 85% of cars) and the 2003 worst (beats 61%).

Of its engines, the 2.4 Petrol does best (beats 76%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 63%).

Better than average on suspension, emissions & leaks, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Headlight bulbs & units1.6×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints1.5×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%6789101112131415161718192081%76%71%64%59%57%54%54%
Honda AccordTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 32%
1999
Beats 27%
2000
Beats 32%
2001
Beats 24%
2002
Beats 29%
2003
Beats 61%
2004
Beats 62%
2005
Beats 62%
2006
Beats 63%
2007
Beats 65%
2008
Beats 76%
2009
Beats 85%
2010
Beats 89%
2011
Beats 88%
2012
Beats 83%
2013
Beats 86%
2014
Beats 89%
2015
Beats 96%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel2004–2015128,87761.4%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol1998–2014127,41459.4%Beats 63%B
2.4 Petrol2003–200931,13962.1%Beats 76%B
1.9 Petrol1999–200214,54647.8%Beats 26%D
2.3 Petrol2001–20022,66045.7%Beats 22%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 22.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 12.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 22.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−0.2 ptsTyres: 7.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.8 ptsBrakes: 12.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.3 ptsSuspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.6 ptsExhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 ptsSuspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 12.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 22.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 22.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−0.2 ptsTyres: 7.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.8 ptsBrakes: 12.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.3 ptsSuspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.6 ptsExhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 22.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
22.0% vs 21.8%
Suspension
14.1% vs 17.6%
Brakes
12.1% vs 13.4%
Tyres
7.3% vs 8.1%
Visibility
6.5% vs 7.4%
Emissions & leaks
5.0% vs 6.7%
Body & structure
4.3% vs 7.8%
Steering
2.7% vs 4.0%
Seat belts & airbags
1.2% vs 2.7%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Headlight bulbs & units 1.6× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Suspension ball joints 1.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Brake pads 1.5× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k85%78%71%64%59%55%54%
Honda AccordTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights7.1%5.8%1.2×
Headlight aim6.6%5.8%1.1×
Headlight bulbs & units6.3%4.1%1.6×
Tyre damage & cracking4.2%4.0%1.1×
Suspension ball joints4.0%2.6%1.5×
Brake pads3.6%2.3%1.5×
Brake lights3.5%4.3%0.8×
Windscreen wipers3.3%3.1%1.1×
Handbrake performance3.1%3.4%0.9×
Tyre tread depth2.7%3.7%0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn81.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements66.1
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning54.7
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm33.9
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED33.7
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen32.2
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning31.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements27.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2015 Honda Accord1 engine84.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel1,00184.9%Beats 96%A
2014 Honda Accord2 engines81.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel2,41480.1%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol1,10685.0%Beats 95%A
2013 Honda Accord1 engine76.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel3,31176.9%Beats 86%A
2012 Honda Accord2 engines73.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel8,19472.7%Beats 82%A
2.0 Petrol2,08278.8%Beats 91%A
2011 Honda Accord2 engines72.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel8,36571.2%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol2,60278.5%Beats 96%A
2010 Honda Accord2 engines71.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel7,68469.0%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol3,50776.1%Beats 96%A
2009 Honda Accord3 engines68.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel19,42366.8%Beats 83%A
2.0 Petrol7,81070.8%Beats 88%A
2.4 Petrol1,91475.9%Beats 97%A
2008 Honda Accord3 engines64.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel16,21259.9%Beats 66%B
2.0 Petrol11,00368.6%Beats 86%A
2.4 Petrol2,55869.9%Beats 90%A
2007 Honda Accord3 engines59.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel19,16756.7%Beats 60%B
2.0 Petrol14,59161.8%Beats 68%B
2.4 Petrol3,01865.3%Beats 80%B
2006 Honda Accord3 engines57.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel18,86654.8%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol13,13860.1%Beats 67%B
2.4 Petrol3,59563.6%Beats 79%B
2005 Honda Accord3 engines56.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol16,51057.4%Beats 63%B
2.2 Diesel15,13653.1%Beats 57%C
2.4 Petrol6,47860.5%Beats 72%B
2004 Honda Accord3 engines55.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol18,15655.4%Beats 61%B
2.2 Diesel9,10451.8%Beats 57%C
2.4 Petrol6,76659.2%Beats 72%B
2003 Honda Accord2 engines55.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol14,23254.0%Beats 58%C
2.4 Petrol6,81057.4%Beats 68%B
2002 Honda Accord3 engines47.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol5,78049.7%Beats 35%D
1.9 Petrol2,62743.2%Beats 19%E
2.3 Petrol1,36546.0%Beats 24%D
2001 Honda Accord3 engines46.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol5,64045.9%Beats 23%D
1.9 Petrol2,45346.8%Beats 27%D
2.3 Petrol1,29545.3%Beats 19%E
2000 Honda Accord2 engines50.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Petrol6,64549.0%Beats 29%D
2.0 Petrol5,59251.2%Beats 36%D
1999 Honda Accord2 engines50.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,92750.6%Beats 28%D
1.9 Petrol2,82150.1%Beats 26%D
1998 Honda Accord1 engine54.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,73854.1%Beats 32%D

FAQ

What is the Honda Accord MOT pass rate?

59.9% of MOT tests on the Honda Accord were passed first time, based on 304,636 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2015. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 55.6% of the time.

Is the Honda Accord reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 65% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Honda Accord year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2009 Accord does best for its age and mileage: it beats 85% of cars on UK roads. The 2003 does worst: it beats 61%.

Which Honda Accord engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.4 Petrol does best: it beats 76% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 63%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Honda Accord?

The most common failure items are sidelights, headlight aim, headlight bulbs & units. Compared with similar cars, headlight bulbs & units comes up 1.6× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.