2011 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,344 MOT tests, the 2011 Honda Stepwagon recorded an 83.9% pass rate. That is 7.9 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests against 4.8% 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 71 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.1% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 20.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.8% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 152 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.8% | 64 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.6% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 41 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.9% | 39 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.5% | 33 |
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 | 60 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 40 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 34 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 30 |
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 | 20.6% | 277 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.0% | 215 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.4% | 180 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 143 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.4% | 73 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 59 |
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 | 229 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 625 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 276 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 93 | 16.1% |
| 150k+ | 115 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 209 | 12.0% |
| 2023 | 303 | 16.5% |
| 2024 | 362 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 389 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Stepwagon
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.8% 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 2011 Honda Stepwagons pass their MOT?
83.9% of the 1,344 2011 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.8%).
Does the 2011 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.8% in the 30-60k band to 26.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,344 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.