Skip to main content
Check

Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) (1996-2000) reliability

Not enough data

Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) models built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) right now?

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

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1996-2000MPVPETROL

Based on 68 tests of Stepwagon models registered 1996-2000.

RF1/RF2 (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
6833.8%

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 25+ years old.

How the Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 12,461 tests across 8 Honda models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
6833.8%

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.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks 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 Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Camper

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11%
    Dangerous
    6.3%

    Lower fail rate: 28.0%, against 33.8% for the Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen), both built before 2000.

    1,483 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Honda Stepwagon name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Honda Stepwagons of this age

This list covers every Honda Stepwagon built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the RF1/RF2 (1st gen) 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

    38.0%
    Advisory: 59Fail: 10 (14% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    31.0%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    22.5%
    Advisory: 25Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    21.1%
    Advisory: 34Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    18.3%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 71 tests

Looking at a Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Honda Stepwagon RF1/RF2 (1st gen) (1996-2000) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 68 25+ 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 68 MOT tests on Honda Stepwagons first registered between 1996-2000. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.