2009 Honda FR-V petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Honda FR-V petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Honda FR-V petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Ball joint dust cover3.4× usual
  Honda FR-V

  14% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.7% of all 2009 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.

• Headlights2.4× usual
  Honda FR-V

  17.1% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3.8% of all 2009 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 link joints3× usual
  Honda FR-V

  12.5% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.6% of all 2009 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.

• Brake pads1.8× usual
  Honda FR-V

  16.2% All 2009 cars

  8.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Track rod ends2.4× usual
  Honda FR-V

  11.7% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2009 Honda FR-V petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Honda FR-V petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  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.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  33% 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
  9% 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 2009 Honda FR-V 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 ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2009 Honda FR-V petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2009 Honda FR-V petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2009 Honda FR-V petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?