What are the most common problems with a 2012 Honda Accord diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is headlights: flagged on 12.9% of tests, 3.2× the rate for all 2012 cars, followed by anti-roll bar bushes and joints (5.2%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2012 Honda Accord diesel?

Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 10.4× as often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2012 Honda Accord diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Honda Accord first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,603 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,603MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

70%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)

9,400typical miles a year

3.2×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Honda Accord diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

Headlights3.2× usual

Honda Accord
12.9% All 2012 cars
4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.7% of all 2012 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 joints10.4× usual

Honda Accord
5.2% All 2012 cars
0.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.
Braking performance1.9× usual

Honda Accord
9% All 2012 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Coil springs: 2.3% here, against 8.5% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 1.4% here, against 5.9% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Honda Accord diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Honda Accord diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

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.
Suspension

31% 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.
Brakes

30% 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.
Lights and electrics

27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

6% 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

2% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Honda Accord diesel

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

Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 10.4× as often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Honda Accord diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Honda Accord?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Honda Accord compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2015	488	Tyres 27%
2014	1,263	Tyres 28%
2013	1,463	Tyres 31%
2011	3,757	Tyres 31%
2010	3,745	Suspension 33%
2009	9,051	Suspension 36%
2008	8,565	Suspension 41%
2007	9,350	Suspension 48%
2006	8,451	Suspension 48%
2005	8,708	Suspension 52%
2004	7,445	Suspension 53%
2003	4,742	Suspension 50%
2002	1,738	Suspension 45%
2001	1,688	Suspension 47%
2000	2,233	Suspension 45%
1999	1,404	Suspension 42%
1998	521	Suspension 42%
1997	228	Suspension 39%
1996	170	Suspension 46%
1995	134	Suspension 40%
1994	–	Too few tests
1993	–	Too few tests
1992	–	Too few tests
1991	–	Too few tests
1990	–	Too few tests
1989	–	Too few tests
1988	–	Too few tests
1987	–	Too few tests
1986	–	Too few tests
1985	–	Too few tests
1984	–	Too few tests
1983	–	Too few tests
1982	–	Too few tests
1980	–	Too few tests
1979	–	Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Honda Accord cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score