2008 Honda Accord diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Honda Accord diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Honda Accord diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Headlights2.3× usual
  Honda Accord

  20.8% All 2008 cars

  9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 4.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Ball joint2.3× usual
  Honda Accord

  14.3% All 2008 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints8× usual
  Honda Accord

  7.2% All 2008 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Honda Accord

  14.8% All 2008 cars

  8.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
  Honda Accord

  9.1% All 2008 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2008 Honda Accord diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Honda Accord diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  37% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Rust and bodywork
  8% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Honda Accord diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?