Diesel Honda Accord: MOT pass rate

68.3% of diesel Honda Accords pass the MOT first time, measured across 10,426 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 143,400.

Diesel against the other Honda Accord versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Honda Accord specifically, petrol is the strongest at 68.8%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points below the 68.6% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Honda Accord had covered 143,400 miles at test, against 114,712 for the petrol. That is very high mileage. Clutches, dual-mass flywheels and head gaskets have usually been through at least one repair by this point, so ask for evidence rather than assume the car is original everywhere.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Honda Accord page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Honda Accord

1. Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing, 2% of tests (9.46x the national rate for this defect)
2. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 8.3% of tests (3.51x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 15.2% of tests (3.03x the national rate for this defect)
4. 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, 2.8% of tests (2.98x the national rate for this defect)
5. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 6.2% of tests (2.78x the national rate for this defect)
6. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 3.3% of tests (2.71x the national rate for this defect)
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.8% of tests (2.68x the national rate for this defect)
8. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.2% of tests (2.44x the national rate for this defect)
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.4% of tests (2.05x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this defect)

From 10,484 DVSA-tracked diesel Honda Accord tests, 2024, split out from the Honda Accord's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.09% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Honda Accord

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 7.3% of tests (6.6x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.6% of tests (3.7x the national rate for this defect)
3. 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, 5.2% of tests (3.44x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 44.4% of tests (3.32x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5.6% of tests (2.78x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 6.1% of tests (2.31x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 11.5% of tests (2.23x the national rate for this defect)
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 14.4% of tests (1.54x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.2% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 38.2% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)

From 10,484 DVSA-tracked diesel Honda Accord tests, 2024.

Other Honda Accord fuel types

• Petrol Honda Accord - 68.8%

All Honda Accord MOT data · Every model