Honda Fr V MOT Failures
An analysis of 106,803 real DVSA MOT tests on the Honda Fr V — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: BE (2004–2009).
Where the Honda Fr V fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Honda Fr V is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 32 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 106,803 MOT tests, 3.34% of all Honda Fr V tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (16x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (72x the fleet average), brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (24x the fleet average), and abs fault (17x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Honda Fr V's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Honda Fr V before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Honda Fr V's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Honda Fr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (72x the average) and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (24x). anti-roll bar links worn (16x) and track rod ends worn (11x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Honda Fr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (19x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (19x). track rod ends worn (16x) and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (14x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Honda Fr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (22x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (17x). abs fault (17x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (15x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Honda Fr V specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe and mounting point corrosion (BE) Dangerous
The FR-V suffers from severe corrosion around suspension mounting points, subframe attachments, and load-bearing structural areas within 30cm of suspension components. Affects BE; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Suspension component corrosion and wear (BE) Major
The FR-V experiences exceptionally high rates of suspension component failure, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 40x the national fleet average. Affects BE; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
General body structure corrosion (BE) Major
Beyond the critical subframe issues, the FR-V suffers from general body structure corrosion that can compromise the rigidity of the vehicle assembly. Affects BE; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£1,200.
Steering rack gaiter deterioration (BE)
The FR-V shows elevated failure rates for steering rack gaiters and ball joint dust covers, with MOT data indicating failure at up to 19.5x the national fleet average. Affects BE; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£180.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Honda Fr V common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Honda Fr V
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Honda Fr V:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated. Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Brakes — check for brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ..., significant brake effort recorded with no brake....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe and mounting point corrosion and suspension component corrosion and wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Honda Fr V?
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Honda Fr V MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda Fr V?
Based on 106,803 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 32x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
Is the Honda Fr V reliable based on MOT data?
The Honda Fr V has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe and mounting point corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Honda Fr V most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and suspension component damaged or corroded. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ....
How do I check a Honda Fr V's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.