2003 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Honda Stepwagon passed 80.1% of its 392 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 7.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.3% of all tests — 7.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and linkage ball joint dust cover — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.9% once past 150k — 3.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 64 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.6% | 14 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.5% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 29 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 18 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 18 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.2% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.1% | 71 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.3% | 68 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 45 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.1% | 28 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 26 |
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 | 54 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 112 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 116 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 65 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 64 | 18.8% |
| 2023 | 65 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 101 | 19.8% |
| 2025 | 110 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Stepwagon
On a 2003 Stepwagon, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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 (3.6% 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 Stepwagons pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 392 2003 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2003 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 30-60k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 392 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.