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Honda FR-V Mk1 (2005-2009) reliability

At a glance

Honda FR-V Mk1 built around 2008: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Honda FR-V Mk1 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.

Looking at a Honda FR-V Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Honda FR-V Mk1 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 Mk1 models built around 2008 involves the suspension.

Honda FR-V Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2005-2009MPVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 8,076 tests of FR-V models registered 2005-2009.

About 1 in 10 FR-V Mk1 MOTs (9.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2008 (17 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,169 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 9 FR-V Mk1 MOTs (10.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 2,169 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
64530.2%
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
57834.8%

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.

How the FR-V Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the FR-V Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 76,595 tests across 8 Honda models, built around 2008 (17 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
64530.2%
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
57834.8%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the FR-V Mk1.

  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 Mk1, 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 Mk1, 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 Mk1, 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 Mk1, 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.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

All 4 FR-V Mk1 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.

How FR-V Mk1 cars have aged

How FR-V Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1214161820Age at MOTBuilt around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (1,131 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (1,064 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (1,023 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (937 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (869 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (1,866 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (1,701 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (1,592 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (1,398 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (1,262 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (1,762 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (1,635 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (1,447 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (1,222 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (1,060 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (2,110 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (1,690 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (1,320 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (1,084 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (788 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (1,691 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (1,327 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (1,014 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (776 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (578 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
Mk1 variants compared

FR-V Mk1 variants built around 2008

The fail rate for each FR-V Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • FR-V32.9%1,383 tests

Diesel

  • FR-V34.1%786 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Honda FR-V models of this age

This list covers every Honda FR-V built around 2008, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Honda FR-V Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Honda FR-V Mk1 (2005-2009) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 8,076 MOT tests on Honda FR-V models first registered between 2005-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.