Used car guide

2006 Honda FR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Honda FR-Vs, from 1,046 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,046MOT tests in 2025

52%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)

7,100typical miles a year

3.4×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Honda FR-Vs than on all cars registered in 2006.

Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.4× usual

Honda FR-V
18.8% All 2006 cars
5.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 2.6% of all 2006 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.
Anti-roll bar link joints3.7× usual

Honda FR-V
15.7% All 2006 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.5% of all 2006 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.
Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual

Honda FR-V
21.1% All 2006 cars
11.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.3% of all 2006 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.
Headlights1.7× usual

Honda FR-V
24.2% All 2006 cars
14.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 5.1% of all 2006 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.
Coil springs1.8× usual

Honda FR-V
20.4% All 2006 cars
11.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 3% of all 2006 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

Rigid brake pipes: 2% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.2% here, against 7.6% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 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

46% 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

38% 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

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.
Rust and bodywork

19% 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

14% 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%
2005	774	Suspension 66%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Honda FR-Vs registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score