2008 Honda Accord petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Honda Accord

  18.7% All 2008 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.8× usual
  Honda Accord

  4.3% All 2008 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

• Anti-roll bar4× usual
  Honda Accord

  2% All 2008 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% 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.

Common 2008 Honda Accord petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

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

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 2.1× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2008 Honda Accord petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?