2004 Honda Fr-V — MOT failures & pass rate
1,291 MOT tests on the 2004 Honda Fr-V are in this dataset, and 70.0% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.1%, so the 2004 Fr-V sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.7%) and suspension (16.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 124 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 31.9% versus 24.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 55.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.2% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 216 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.3% | 211 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 126 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.5% | 110 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 104 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.4% | 96 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 124 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 103 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 87 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 84 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 72 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 71 |
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 | 55.1% | 711 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 395 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.8% | 359 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 284 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 226 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.6% | 163 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 93 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 386 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 482 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 307 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 404 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 331 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 256 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 174 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 126 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Fr-V
On a 2004 Fr-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (9.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2004 Honda Fr-Vs pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 1,291 2004 Honda Fr-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Honda Fr-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.3%).
Does the 2004 Fr-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.7% in the 60-90k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,291 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.