2003 Honda Accord · 6,083 MOT tests
2003 Honda Accord reliability
2003 Honda Accords fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 16 Accord years (6,083 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Honda Accords: 38.7%)
- 44.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Honda Accords: 38.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 124,840
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 6,083
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 9.3% of tests fail here (19% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 59% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Honda Accord
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.3%
- Suspension18.1%
- Brakes12.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.6%
- Tyres7.6%
- Body, chassis and structure6.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 7.45%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.51%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.85%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.19%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.98%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Stop lamp not working 3.96%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.44%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.77%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.18%) · Brake pads wearing thin (11.84%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.1%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (6.82%)
Other years
Every Honda Accord year
The full picture: Honda Accord reliability. Before you pay for any Honda Accord, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Honda Accord reliable?
2003 Honda Accords fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 16 Accord years (6,083 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Honda Accord MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (7.45% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.51% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.85% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Honda Accord have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Honda Accord shows 124,840 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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