2005 Honda Accord: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Honda Accords, from 2,390 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Honda Accords than on all cars registered in 2005.
- Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usualHonda Accord21.7% All 2005 cars10.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Brake pads2× usualHonda Accord15.1% All 2005 cars7.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
- Ball joint2.1× usualHonda Accord13.8% All 2005 cars6.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Sidelights2× usualHonda Accord12.9% All 2005 cars6.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 5.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.2× usualHonda Accord6.7% All 2005 cars1.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) CheckatradeAt the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Rigid brake pipes: 1.1% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.4% here, against 7.3% of all 2005 cars.
By area
The share of 2005 Honda Accord MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension54% 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 electrics45% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes35% 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.
- Tyres34% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors13% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Exhaust and emissions13% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,097 | Suspension 32% |
| 2011 | 1,199 | Suspension 32% |
| 2010 | 1,174 | Suspension 38% |
| 2009 | 2,756 | Suspension 41% |
| 2008 | 2,552 | Suspension 44% |
| 2007 | 2,612 | Suspension 50% |
| 2006 | 2,317 | Suspension 52% |
| 2004 | 2,078 | Suspension 54% |
| 2003 | 1,343 | Suspension 51% |
| 2000 | 594 | Suspension 45% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Honda Accords registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score