Used car guide

2008 Honda FR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Honda FR-Vs, from 1,482 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,482MOT tests in 2025

53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

7,400typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Honda FR-Vs than on all cars registered in 2008.

Headlights2.2× usual

Honda FR-V
23.5% All 2008 cars
10.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, 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.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.6× usual

Honda FR-V
14.9% All 2008 cars
4.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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 joints3.4× usual

Honda FR-V
14.3% All 2008 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, 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.
Brake pads2.1× usual

Honda FR-V
18.3% All 2008 cars
8.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Ball joint dust cover2.7× usual

Honda FR-V
12.8% All 2008 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.9% here, against 8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Honda FR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

60% 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

44% 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

38% 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

16% 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

11% 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%
2007	1,413	Suspension 60%
2006	1,046	Suspension 66%
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 2008 Honda FR-Vs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score