Used car guide

2005 Honda FR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Honda FR-Vs, from 774 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

774MOT tests in 2025

50%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)

6,700typical miles a year

2.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Honda FR-Vs than on all cars registered in 2005.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual

Honda FR-V
22.9% All 2005 cars
10.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Anti-roll bar link joints3.7× usual

Honda FR-V
15.5% All 2005 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.
Headlights1.8× usual

Honda FR-V
25.7% All 2005 cars
14.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 4.9% of all 2005 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.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.8× usual

Honda FR-V
16.9% All 2005 cars
6%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.
Coil springs2× usual

Honda FR-V
21.8% All 2005 cars
10.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.6% here, against 7.3% of all 2005 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.8% here, against 6.9% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Honda FR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

66% 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

48% 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

37% 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

37% 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.
Rust and bodywork

21% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

15% 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.

Looking at a Honda FR-V?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2009	1,111	Suspension 55%
2008	1,482	Suspension 60%
2007	1,413	Suspension 60%
2006	1,046	Suspension 66%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Honda FR-Vs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score