2009 Honda Fr-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,924 MOT tests, the 2009 Honda Fr-V recorded a 76.8% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2009 Fr-V comes out 4.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests against 10.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, linkage ball joints and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 521 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.1% in the 0-30k band and 28.9% in the 150k+ band, a 16.8-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 21.3% fail against 26.0% for diesel, a 4.7-point gap across 7,917 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 1,104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 817 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 651 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.9% | 546 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 396 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 270 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 521 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joints | 432 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 381 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 352 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 334 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 313 |
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 | 40.1% | 3,179 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 2,347 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.1% | 2,223 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 1,505 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.3% | 896 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 827 |
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 | 66 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 505 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,707 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,541 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,898 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,204 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,631 | 21.3% |
| Diesel | 3,286 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,700 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 1,651 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 1,652 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 1,502 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 1,419 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Fr-V
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Brakes (8.2% 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 2009 Honda Fr-Vs pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 7,924 2009 Honda Fr-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Honda Fr-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2009 Fr-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,924 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.