2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Honda Accord MOT pass rate and common faults

2,373 MOT tests in 2024. 55.1% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time55.1%
Failed or needed repairs44.9%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,373 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working10.2%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.0%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.9%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.5%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.5%
    113 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.9%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics40.3%
  2. Suspension25.1%
  3. Brakes17.9%
  4. Emissions & leaks12.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.0%
  6. Tyres8.1%
  7. Body & chassis7.1%
  8. Steering3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn17.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick12.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.2%

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: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2003 AccordAll Accord years2005 Accord →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Honda Accord?

In 2024, 55.1% of 2004 Honda Accord cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,373 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Honda Accord?

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

Is the 2004 Honda Accord reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).