2004 Honda HR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,779 MOT tests, the 2004 Honda HR-V recorded a 73.9% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 28.2% of the time, so this is 2.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 170 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 224 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 137 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.4% | 131 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 118 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.0% | 89 |
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 | 170 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 162 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 131 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 111 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 110 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 93 |
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 | 30.0% | 533 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.0% | 463 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.3% | 432 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 304 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 304 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 271 |
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 | 232 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 480 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 591 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 336 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 118 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 464 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 404 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 373 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 302 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 236 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 HR-V
On a 2004 HR-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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 (7.7% 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 HR-Vs pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 1,779 2004 Honda HR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Honda HR-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2004 HR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,779 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.