Used car guide

2008 Honda Accord: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Honda Accords, from 2,552 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,552MOT tests in 2025

61%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

7,600typical miles a year

2.1×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Honda Accords than on all cars registered in 2008.

Headlights2.1× usual

Honda Accord
22.2% All 2008 cars
10.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 4.3% of all 2008 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 bushes and joints6× usual

Honda Accord
6% All 2008 cars
1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At 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.
Ball joint1.8× usual

Honda Accord
11.4% All 2008 cars
6.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.
Anti-roll bar link joints1.7× usual

Honda Accord
7.3% All 2008 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.6% of all 2008 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.
Anti-roll bar3.8× usual

Honda Accord
2.3% All 2008 cars
0.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.9% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.7% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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

41% 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

34% 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.
Brakes

32% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

10% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Oil and fluid leaks

8% 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

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%
2007	2,612	Suspension 50%
2006	2,317	Suspension 52%
2005	2,390	Suspension 54%
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 2008 Honda Accords registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score