Used car guide

2012 Honda Accord: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Honda Accords, from 1,097 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,097MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,400typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Honda Accords than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Headlights3× usual
    Honda Accord
    14% All 2012 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2.9% of all 2012 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 joints10.8× usual
    Honda Accord
    5.4% All 2012 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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: 2.4% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 2.5% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Honda Accord MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% 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
    3% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
2000594Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Honda Accords registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score