Common problems by part
Honda Accord steering problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 13,258 MOT tests · Updated
At 16 years, 2.4 in 100 MOT tests of the Honda Accord failed on steering, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,258 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.6–0.8×) (all test years), 316 MOT tests with a fail
- When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 22 years and at every older age seen
- MOT tests at 16 years: 13,258 for the Honda Accord
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
2.4 fails per 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 16 (all test years). The Honda Accord fails less often here.
Why it matters
A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.
What to check
With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.
Honda Accord steering fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1,114 | 0.3 | 1.8 |
| 10 | 2,363 | 0.6 | 2.1 |
| 11 | 3,492 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| 12 | 4,390 | 0.7 | 2.8 |
| 13 | 7,181 | 0.6 | 2.9 |
| 14 | 9,286 | 1.2 | 3.2 |
| 15 | 11,713 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| 16 | 13,258 | 2.4 | 3.4 |
| 17 | 13,143 | 2.3 | 3.6 |
| 18 | 12,319 | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| 19* | 10,398 | 2.5 | 4.1 |
| 20* | 7,614 | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| 21* | 5,258 | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| 22* | 3,808 | 5.8 | 4.0 |
| 23* | 2,664 | 8.6 | 3.9 |
| 24* | 1,981 | 6.0 | 3.7 |
| 25* | 1,389 | 5.5 | 3.7 |
All first-use years of the Honda Accord pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.
What fails in the steering at 16 years
Advisories (not fails)
- Track rod end: ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt: 1.8 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.1. Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (MOT minor defect)
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Track rod end: ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt.
Check one Honda Accord, not the average
The figures here describe Honda Accord cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Honda Accord's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Honda Accord problems
Steering on rival models
- BMW 3 Series steering problems: 1.0 per 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 2.4 for the Honda Accord (99,870 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class steering problems: 2.2 per 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 2.4 for the Honda Accord (56,401 MOT tests)
- Ford Mondeo steering problems: 2.9 per 100 MOT tests at 16 years, against 2.4 for the Honda Accord (52,349 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Honda Accord have more steering problems than other cars?
0.6 to 0.8 times the steering fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 16 years (all test years), from 13,258 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 5 of the 17 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Honda Accord steering problems?
2.4 in 100 MOT tests at 16 years failed on steering, against 3.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,258 MOT tests).
At what age do Honda Accord steering fails start?
22 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 9,842 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 111,371 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare