2012 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,037 MOT tests, the 2012 Honda Stepwagon recorded an 88.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 23.3% of the time, so this is 11.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.1% of all tests — 4.6 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 linkage ball joint dust cover — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 35 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 44.4% versus 8.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 14.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 94 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.4% | 46 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.4% | 25 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 14 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 23 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 19 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 17 |
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 | 14.2% | 147 |
| 2 | Tyres | 14.0% | 145 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 91 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 72 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.2% | 54 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.7% | 49 |
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 | 244 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 576 | 9.4% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 44.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 68 | 13.2% |
| 2023 | 206 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 319 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 420 | 11.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Stepwagon
On a 2012 Stepwagon, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.4% 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.
- Tyres (2.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2012 Honda Stepwagons pass their MOT?
88.4% of the 1,037 2012 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (4.4%).
Does the 2012 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 30-60k band to 44.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,037 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.