2017 Honda Stepwagon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 576 MOT tests, the 2017 Honda Stepwagon recorded a 79.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 12.3% of the time, so this is 8.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests against 7.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 47 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.2% in the 30-60k band and 25.0% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.2% in 2021 to 17.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 109 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.0% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 24 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 21 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 20 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 41 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 33 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 26 |
| 6 | Wipers | 19 |
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 | 25.0% | 144 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.3% | 134 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.0% | 121 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 115 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.9% | 57 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.9% | 57 |
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 | 33 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 140 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 187 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 127 | 18.1% |
| 2023 | 131 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 97 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 84 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Stepwagon
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% 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.
- Brakes (5.0% 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 2017 Honda Stepwagons pass their MOT?
79.2% of the 576 2017 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Honda Stepwagon?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2017 Stepwagon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 30-60k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 576 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.