2006 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 373 MOT tests, the 2006 Honda Stepwagon recorded a 79.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 7.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests against 7.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.4% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 22.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 59 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 28 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.6% | 17 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 17 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.5% | 13 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.2% | 12 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 24 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 18 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 14 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 13 |
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 | 22.5% | 84 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.4% | 80 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 76 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 65 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.2% | 38 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.2% | 27 |
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 | 35 | 17.1% |
| 60-90k | 117 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 112 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 47 | 23.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 59 | 17.0% |
| 2023 | 67 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 99 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 87 | 19.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Stepwagon
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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.
- Visibility (4.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Stepwagons pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 373 2006 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2006 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 30-60k band to 23.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 373 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.