Used car guide

2002 Honda Accord: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Honda Accords, from 466 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 466 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

466MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Honda Accords than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Honda Accord
    22.3% All 2002 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 4% of all 2002 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.

  • Steering rack6.5× usual
    Honda Accord
    12.4% All 2002 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 1.1% of all 2002 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
    Honda Accord
    13.9% All 2002 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 3.5% of all 2002 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Honda Accord
    9.7% All 2002 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.5% of all 2002 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.1× usual
    Honda Accord
    9.4% All 2002 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 8.8% here, against 17.7% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Honda Accord MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Honda Accord?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015168Tyres 27%
2014413Tyres 31%
2013483Tyres 31%
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%
2001440Suspension 50%
2000594Suspension 45%
1999376Suspension 45%
1998153Brakes 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Honda Accords registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score