Honda FR-V MOT pass rate and common problems
63.7% of 10,434 Honda FR-V MOT tests pass.
The FR-V passes 63.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Honda models (79.4%).
The Honda FR-V passes 63.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Honda FR-V?
This is the average across every Honda FR-V in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Honda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 72.7% at 6–10 years to 62.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (12) | 12 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 72.7% | 44 | 115,381 miles |
| 10–15 years | 69.8% | 1,013 | 111,970 miles |
| 15+ years | 62.9% | 9,365 | 129,364 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda FR-V
The most common reason the Honda FR-V fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 65.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 65.3% | Not working |
| Suspension | 65.1% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Brakes | 33.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 23.6% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 22.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 8.2% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 4.1% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.8% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Honda FR-V: what to check
These checks follow the Honda FR-V’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Honda FR-V comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 69.8% to 62.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 73.7% down to 66.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 65.3% of failed Honda FR-V MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 65.1% of failed Honda FR-V MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 33.4% of failed Honda FR-V MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 15.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 23.6% of failed Honda FR-V MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 22.7% of failed Honda FR-V MOTs. 10.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 4.5% at 6–10 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Honda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Honda models
- Honda Accord — 69.8% pass rate
- Honda Insight — 79.8% pass rate
- Honda Fit — 92.9% pass rate
- Honda Jazz Crosstar — 97.5% pass rate
- Honda S2000 — 85.8% pass rate
- Honda Stepwagon — 84.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda FR-V?
- 63.7% of Honda FR-V MOT tests pass, based on 10,434 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda FR-V?
- The most common reason the Honda FR-V fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 65.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Honda FR-V?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda FR-V are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda FR-V?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Honda FR-V's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Honda service history guide for how to check and keep one.