2020 Honda Stepwagon: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Honda Stepwagon?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Honda Stepwagon than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Headlights35× usual
  Honda Stepwagon

  17.5% All 2020 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.5% of all 2020 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints15.2× usual
  Honda Stepwagon

  16.7% All 2020 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Brake pads2.5× usual
  Honda Stepwagon

  19% All 2020 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.4% of all 2020 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.

Common 2020 Honda Stepwagon MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Honda Stepwagon MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  36% 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
  36% 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
  25% 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
  24% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Honda Stepwagon

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 35× as often on the 2020 Honda Stepwagon as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 15.2× as often on the 2020 Honda Stepwagon as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2020 Honda Stepwagon as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?