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Honda FR-V reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-20091 named generationMPVPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Honda FR-V built around 2008: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Honda FR-V models built around 2008 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Honda FR-V by number plate

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Honda FR-V models built around 2008 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 8% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Honda FR-V models built around 2008 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Honda FR-V's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates fell, then rose again. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your FR-V's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

FR-V Mk1

Mk1 (2005-2009)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

33.3% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 2,169 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
102 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Honda FR-V.

See every build year for the Honda FR-V

By age

Honda FR-V fail rate by age

This chart combines every Honda FR-V ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
72430.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,69531.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,16933.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,71532.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,27435.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
68034.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Honda FR-V models

These issues come from 17-year-old Honda FR-V models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    33.1%
    Advisory: 1,037Fail: 209 (17% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    29.1%
    Advisory: 879Fail: 68 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    16.8%
    Advisory: 339Fail: 98 (22% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    15.8%
    Advisory: 537Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    15.7%
    Advisory: 377Fail: 215 (36% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,169 MOT tests on 17-year-old Honda FR-V models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Honda FR-V models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension39%
  2. Suspension + Tyres39%
  3. Lighting + Suspension38%
  4. Body & structure + Suspension32%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,558 MOT tests on Honda FR-V cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Honda FR-V.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

All 4 Honda FR-V recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Drivers airbag inflator may rupture if deployed
  • Brake efficiency may be reduced
  • Engine may cut out

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.1%, against 33.3% for the Honda FR-V, both built around 2008.

    1,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Toyota Alphard

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 33.3% for the Honda FR-V, both built around 2008.

    2,023 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Nissan Elgrand

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 33.3% for the Honda FR-V, both built around 2008.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.4%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 33.3% for the Honda FR-V, both built around 2008.

    6,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Honda FR-V across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,169 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Honda FR-V ever sold: 8,257 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 2,169 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.