2006 Honda Fr-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,344 MOT tests, the 2006 Honda Fr-V recorded a 70.8% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 29.7%, so the 2006 Fr-V sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.3%) and suspension (17.0%) 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 linkage ball joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,271 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.5% versus 18.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (30.0% vs 28.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 48.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 1,968 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 1,932 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 1,063 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.2% | 815 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 767 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 744 |
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 | 1,271 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 996 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 755 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 688 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 647 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 579 |
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 | 48.9% | 5,546 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.1% | 3,645 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.1% | 3,643 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.0% | 2,718 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 1,724 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.0% | 1,582 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 153 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,012 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,164 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,766 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 3,230 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,316 | 30.0% |
| Petrol | 5,023 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,255 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 2,705 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 2,228 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 1,819 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 1,337 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Fr-V
On a 2006 Fr-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.0% 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 (9.4% 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 2006 Honda Fr-Vs pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 11,344 2006 Honda Fr-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Honda Fr-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2006 Fr-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 30-60k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,344 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.