Used car guide

2003 Honda Stream: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Honda Stream first registered in 2003: we looked at the 254 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 254 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

254MOTs of 2003 cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Honda Stream?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Honda Stream than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Brake pads2.3× usual
    Honda Stream
    15.4% All 2003 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.7% of all 2003 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
    Honda Stream
    13.4% All 2003 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 3.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    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 2003 Honda Stream MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Honda Stream MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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
    41% 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
    40% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    17% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Honda Stream

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

  1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2003 Honda Stream as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Honda Stream as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Honda Stream?

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 Stream compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005–Too few tests
2004278Suspension 60%
2002530Suspension 60%
2001382Suspension 64%

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 Stream cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score