2009 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,187 MOT tests, the 2009 Honda Stepwagon recorded an 83.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.8% fail rate), the 2009 Stepwagon comes out 9.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.4% of all tests — 7.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 71 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 30-60k band and 33.6% in the 150k+ band, a 24.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 159 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 73 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.7% | 44 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 44 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.8% | 22 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 22 |
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 | 71 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 57 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 4 | Wipers | 39 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 28 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 28 |
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 | 21.5% | 255 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.8% | 199 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.8% | 188 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 151 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.7% | 80 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.6% | 66 |
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 | 179 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 475 | 11.8% |
| 90-120k | 282 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 130 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 113 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 218 | 16.5% |
| 2023 | 256 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 290 | 16.9% |
| 2025 | 293 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Stepwagon
On a 2009 Stepwagon, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.2% 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 (3.7% 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 2009 Honda Stepwagons pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 1,187 2009 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by suspension (6.2%).
Does the 2009 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 30-60k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,187 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.