2008 Honda Accord: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Honda Accord?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Honda Accord than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Honda Accord

  22.2% All 2008 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints6× usual
  Honda Accord

  6% All 2008 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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.

• Ball joint1.8× usual
  Honda Accord

  11.4% All 2008 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.2% 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints1.7× usual
  Honda Accord

  7.3% All 2008 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, 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.

• Anti-roll bar3.8× usual
  Honda Accord

  2.3% All 2008 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2008 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 2008 Honda Accord MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  44% 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
  41% 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
  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.

• Brakes
  32% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Rust and bodywork
  8% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 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 headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?