2005 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 653 MOT tests, the 2005 Honda Stepwagon recorded a 76.7% pass rate. That is 4.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.3% of all tests — 11.6 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 position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 63 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 25.4% versus 17.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 126 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 50 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 44 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.3% | 28 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 24 |
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 | 63 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 28 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 24 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 23 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.6% | 141 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.6% | 128 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 123 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.7% | 122 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.0% | 46 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.1% | 40 |
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 | 59 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 192 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 187 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 137 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 67 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 97 | 19.6% |
| 2022 | 106 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 106 | 21.7% |
| 2024 | 171 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 173 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Stepwagon
On a 2005 Stepwagon, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% 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 (6.7% 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 2005 Honda Stepwagons pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 653 2005 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 2005 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.0% in the 30-60k band to 25.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 653 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.