Honda
FR V
13,692 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where FR Vs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 13.7 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
63.8%
Pass-after-fix
7.2%
Fail
27.8%
Avg miles
128,245
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Honda FR V: challenging MOT record across 10,874 tests
The Honda FR-V, marketed as the Honda Edix in Japan, is a six-passenger car that was manufactured by Honda from 2004 to 2009, over a single generation. A five-door compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the FR-V was noted for its 3+3 seating configuration, along with the Fiat Multipla.
MOT data from 10,874 tests puts this car on a 65.3% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 124,469 miles. The most common fail item is steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, followed by headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective.
Clever way to carry 6 in 2 rows, like a Multipla, but with Honda quality. 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 all chain cam engines.
The FR V's pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 14–20
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
14–20
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
Filter failures:
Hide categories
Tick a category to hide it from rankings sitewide. Saved in this browser only.
- 01
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
1,262 occurrences · 9.2% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
1,178 occurrences · 8.6% of tests
- 03
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
988 occurrences · 7.2% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
972 occurrences · 7.1% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
959 occurrences · 7.0% of tests
- 06
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
644 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
507 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 08
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
438 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 09
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
430 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 10
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
378 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£178–£595
If every one of this FR V's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Draper
Draper Drain Plug Key, 3/8 Square x 3/8 Sq. Dr.
£15.39
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Honda Nighthawk Black Pearlescent Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Honda Milano Red Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Honda Satin Silver Metallic Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Buying or keeping an FR V?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an FR V and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.