2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Honda Accord MOT pass rate and common faults

1,508 MOT tests in 2024. 54.8% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.8%
Failed or needed repairs45.2%
Typical mileage at test125,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,508 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working6.1%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.8%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.3%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.6%
    69 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.4%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3.1%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
    77 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics38.3%
  2. Suspension27.4%
  3. Brakes19.8%
  4. Emissions & leaks13.5%
  5. Tyres8.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.8%
  7. Body & chassis8.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.4%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn15.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick13.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Honda Accord?

In 2024, 54.8% of 2003 Honda Accord cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,508 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Honda Accord?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Honda Accord reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).