2003 Honda Stream — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Honda Stream passed 70.0% of its 721 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2003 Stream sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.1% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 70 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 39.3% versus 25.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.0% in 2021 to 20.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 138 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 101 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 69 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 58 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.3% | 53 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 51 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 70 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 63 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 44 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 41 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 35 |
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 | 44.4% | 320 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.1% | 253 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.0% | 216 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.4% | 190 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.4% | 111 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 90 |
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 | 39 | 25.6% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 252 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 221 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 112 | 39.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 224 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 176 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 132 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 105 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 84 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Stream
On a 2003 Stream, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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 (9.6% 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 2003 Honda Streams pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 721 2003 Honda Stream MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda Stream?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2003 Stream get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.6% in the 30-60k band to 39.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 721 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.