Used car guide

2005 Honda Stepwagon: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Honda Stepwagons, from 135 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 135 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

135MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,200typical miles a year
39%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

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

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    25% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Honda Stepwagon?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014189Suspension 18%
2013371Suspension 21%
2012382Suspension 20%
2011341Suspension 26%
2010523Suspension 30%
2009251Lights and electrics 31%
2008246Suspension 31%
2007113Lights and electrics 30%
2004114Lights and electrics 28%

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