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Honda Stepwagon Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda Stepwagon car check

Is the Honda Stepwagon reliable? We analysed 27,404 real MOT tests across 4,250 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 27,404 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.8%
Typical Mileage
114,761mi
Annual Mileage
5,975mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Honda Stepwagon is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Stepwagon.

Honda Stepwagon Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda Stepwagon. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda Stepwagon MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda Stepwagon to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.7%
2021
77.4%
2020
78.7%
2019
77.7%
2018
75.1%
2017
75.3%
2016
73.5%
2015
79.5%
2014
84.2%
2013
84.3%
2012
77.4%
2011
81%
2010
78.2%
2009
74.3%
2008
74.4%
2007
76.3%
2006
74.6%
2005
76.1%
2004
76.5%
2003
75.5%
2002

Honda Stepwagon Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda Stepwagon fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Steering rack gaiter split 360
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 279
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 205

Honda Stepwagon Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Honda Stepwagon models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 342

Honda Stepwagon Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda Stepwagon owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,237 mi/yr
Typical
5,975 mi/yr
Average
7,223 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,503 mi/yr

Honda Stepwagon MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Stepwagon year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 571 79.7% 82,422 104,957 136,435
2020 695 77.4% 85,500 111,910 144,263
2019 750 78.7% 83,905 113,413 136,536
2018 703 77.7% 88,828 121,196 147,359
2017 869 75.1% 81,255 110,589 142,516
2016 1,152 75.3% 87,337 117,496 147,776
2015 831 73.5% 91,442 124,699 151,857
2014 809 79.5% 80,374 113,284 141,140
2013 1,148 84.2% 73,064 92,624 118,408
2012 1,350 84.3% 72,097 98,153 128,270
2011 2,037 77.4% 85,384 115,690 148,981
2010 2,799 81.0% 83,701 111,500 141,226
2009 1,858 78.2% 86,855 116,832 144,218
2008 2,490 74.3% 89,684 121,298 159,885
2007 1,311 74.4% 83,842 110,667 145,876
2006 927 76.3% 86,066 111,667 140,370
2005 1,521 74.6% 86,360 112,875 144,632
2004 1,183 76.1% 84,688 113,872 143,509
2003 879 76.5% 81,079 104,774 135,411
2002 523 75.5% 93,047 127,371 157,389

How Long Does a Honda Stepwagon Last?

Based on 4,250 Honda Stepwagon vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.8 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Honda Stepwagon Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda Stepwagon MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
114,761 mi
75th Percentile
146,326 mi
95th Percentile
201,301 mi
Max Recorded
988,881 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Stepwagon

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2012

84.3% MOT pass rate from 1,350 tests

Year to avoid
2000

65.4% MOT pass rate from 214 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda Stepwagon is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.3% across 1,350 tests. The 2000 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 Stepwagon Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda Stepwagon THIS CAR 76.8% 27,404 114,761 mi 30 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
Triumph Thruxton 90.5% 30,642 6,411 mi 22 yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Stepwagon sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda Stepwagon?

The Honda Stepwagon has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.8% across 27,404 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Honda Stepwagon are steering rack gaiter split (360 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (279), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (205). 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 Stepwagon 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 Stepwagon owner drives around 5,975 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 Stepwagon models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.

Honda Stepwagon — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda Stepwagon reliable?
Based on 27,404 MOT tests, the Honda Stepwagon has a 76.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda Stepwagon?
The most common MOT failures are steering rack gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda Stepwagon do per year?
The typical Honda Stepwagon does around 5,975 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda Stepwagon last?
Most Honda Stepwagon models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 4,250 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda Stepwagon?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Honda Stepwagon?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda Stepwagon is 2012 with a 84.3% pass rate across 1,350 tests.