2008 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Honda Stepwagon passed 82.7% of its 1,202 recorded MOT tests. That is 9.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests against 5.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 83 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.7% in the 30-60k band and 29.9% in the 150k+ band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.1% 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 | 13.8% | 166 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.4% | 65 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.2% | 51 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.9% | 35 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.6% | 31 |
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 | 83 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 54 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 30 |
| 5 | Washers | 30 |
| 6 | Wipers | 29 |
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 | 19.1% | 229 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.0% | 228 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.1% | 206 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 149 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.6% | 91 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.2% | 87 |
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 | 205 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 474 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 269 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 108 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 127 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 163 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 204 | 14.2% |
| 2023 | 268 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 282 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 285 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Stepwagon
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% 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 (4.2% 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 2008 Honda Stepwagons pass their MOT?
82.7% of the 1,202 2008 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (5.4%).
Does the 2008 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 30-60k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,202 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.