Used car guide

2000 Honda Accord: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Honda Accords, from 594 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

594MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
4,000typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Honda Accords than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Headlights2.6× usual
    Honda Accord
    19.4% All 2000 cars
    7.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 3.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints4.7× usual
    Honda Accord
    10.8% All 2000 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.7% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering rack3.4× usual
    Honda Accord
    7.4% All 2000 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.1× usual
    Honda Accord
    9.1% All 2000 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 4.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Honda Accord
    8.1% All 2000 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1.1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2000 Honda Accord MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Honda Accord?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20121,097Suspension 32%
20111,199Suspension 32%
20101,174Suspension 38%
20092,756Suspension 41%
20082,552Suspension 44%
20072,612Suspension 50%
20062,317Suspension 52%
20052,390Suspension 54%
20042,078Suspension 54%
20031,343Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Honda Accords registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score