Honda Fr-v Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Honda Fr-v car check
Is the Honda Fr-v reliable? We analysed 261,543 real MOT tests across 14,531 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Honda Fr-v? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Honda Fr-v is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Fr-v.
Honda Fr-v Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Honda Fr-v. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Honda Fr-v MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Honda Fr-v to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Honda Fr-v Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Honda Fr-v fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Honda Fr-v Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Honda Fr-v models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Honda Fr-v Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Honda Fr-v owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Honda Fr-v MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Fr-v year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 72 | 76.4% | 60,727 | 79,979 | 120,031 |
| 2017 | 50 | 82.0% | 75,396 | 86,806 | 104,130 |
| 2016 | 104 | 65.4% | 73,280 | 88,055 | 112,907 |
| 2010 | 1,380 | 77.5% | 45,526 | 69,630 | 102,526 |
| 2009 | 25,142 | 76.9% | 49,333 | 78,014 | 110,422 |
| 2008 | 43,035 | 75.3% | 54,964 | 85,224 | 117,647 |
| 2007 | 49,861 | 75.2% | 54,567 | 85,065 | 116,638 |
| 2006 | 64,617 | 73.7% | 58,167 | 89,983 | 122,640 |
| 2005 | 65,479 | 73.4% | 57,129 | 87,937 | 118,871 |
| 2004 | 11,373 | 73.7% | 56,374 | 86,910 | 116,882 |
How Long Does a Honda Fr-v Last?
Based on 14,531 Honda Fr-v vehicles on UK roads.
Honda Fr-v Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Honda Fr-v MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Fr-v
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
65.4% MOT pass rate from 104 tests
The best year to buy a used Honda Fr-v is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.0% across 50 tests. The 2016 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Honda Fr-v Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Fr-v THIS CAR | 74.5% | 261,543 | 86,378 mi | 22 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
| Honda Jazz | 81% | 5,740,892 | 48,635 mi | 24 yrs |
| Honda Cr-v | 78.5% | 4,177,643 | 80,499 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A2 | 71.8% | 380,691 | 85,889 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Fr-v sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Honda Fr-v you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Honda Fr-vShould you buy a used Honda Fr-v?
The Honda Fr-v has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.5% across 261,543 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Honda Fr-v are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (6,946 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (4,540), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (4,420). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Honda Fr-v with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Honda Fr-v owner drives around 7,352 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Honda Fr-v models stay on UK roads for around 22 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.