2003 Honda Hr-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,726 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Honda Hr-V, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 73.4% was above the average for small SUVs of a similar age (71.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.2% in the 150k+ group versus 24.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 297 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 200 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 144 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.7% | 133 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.9% | 119 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 105 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 164 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 160 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 148 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 122 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 105 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 84 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.3% | 523 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 465 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.0% | 415 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 289 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 281 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 267 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 212 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 482 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 610 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 302 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 510 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 401 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 354 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 260 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 201 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Hr-V
Before buying a 2003 Honda Hr-V, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (8.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Honda Hr-Vs pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 1,726 2003 Honda Hr-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda Hr-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2003 Hr-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,726 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.