Used car guide · 1979–2026

Honda Accord common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Honda Accord, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 78,612 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1986 Honda Accord

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Honda Accord as a whole.

33on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 1986 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219801979

What usually goes wrong with a Honda Accord?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Honda Accord in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Honda Accord MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Headlights

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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 joints

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar

    up to 7.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

    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.

Diesel

  • Headlights

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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 joints

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2014.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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 pads

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

Honda Accord MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Honda Accord did best (69% passed first time, 9 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2005 did worst (57%, 0 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201584%74% +10488 (small sample)
201477%70% +71,263
201374%67% +71,463
201271%64% +73,468
201170%62% +83,757
201069%60% +93,745
200965%59% +69,051
200862%57% +58,565
200758%57% +19,350
200657%56% +18,451
200557%57% +08,708
200456%57% -17,445
200355%57% -24,742
200254%58% -41,738
200154%60% -61,688
200054%61% -72,233
199958%63% -51,404
199859%65% -6521
199756%65% -9228 (small sample)
199663%66% -3170 (small sample)
199556%67% -11134 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 3.1× as often on the Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the Honda Accord as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Honda Accord?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score