2003 Honda Accord — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Honda Accord passed 72.3% of its 12,334 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2003 Accord sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,112 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.3% in the 0-30k band and 31.6% in the 150k+ band, a 6.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 2,295 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 1,736 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 1,191 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 844 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 777 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 754 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,112 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 995 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 984 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 828 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 819 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 575 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.6% | 4,878 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.8% | 3,553 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 3,452 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 2,710 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 1,779 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 1,668 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 75 | 25.3% |
| 30-60k | 505 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,792 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,181 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,273 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,467 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,263 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 69 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,420 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 2,758 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 2,411 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 2,035 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 1,710 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Accord
On a 2003 Accord, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Honda Accords pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 12,334 2003 Honda Accord MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda Accord?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 2003 Accord get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,334 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.