2005 Honda Accord: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Honda Accord?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Honda Accord than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Honda Accord

  21.7% All 2005 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

• Brake pads2× usual
  Honda Accord

  15.1% All 2005 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.8% of all 2005 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 joint2.1× usual
  Honda Accord

  13.8% All 2005 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3% 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.

• Sidelights2× usual
  Honda Accord

  12.9% All 2005 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 5.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.2× usual
  Honda Accord

  6.7% All 2005 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 Honda Accord MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  54% 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
  45% 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
  35% 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
  34% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Honda Accord

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?