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Honda Accord: common problems & condition

118
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
52/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100
37%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 55%



Across 118 used Honda Accords we inspected, this model scores noticeably below average — average condition 52/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Oil leaks · Engine
59%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
58%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
50%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
32%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
31%

Share of inspected Honda Accords where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 21% Good 16% Mediocre 27% Poor 36%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.

82%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
14%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
32%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
How long does a Accord stay good?
Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 20–40k mi: 80% in good shape (5 cars) 40–60k mi: 80% in good shape (10 cars) 60–80k mi: 67% in good shape (12 cars) 80–100k mi: 60% in good shape (10 cars) 100–120k mi: 30% in good shape (30 cars) 120–140k mi: 33% in good shape (12 cars) 140–160k mi: 12% in good shape (17 cars) 160–180k mi: 0% in good shape (6 cars) 180–200k mi: 0% in good shape (6 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 4 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 5 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 6 years old: 83% in good shape (12 cars) 7 years old: 50% in good shape (8 cars) 9 years old: 11% in good shape (9 cars) 10 years old: 50% in good shape (6 cars) 11 years old: 33% in good shape (6 cars) 12 years old: 9% in good shape (11 cars) 13 years old: 14% in good shape (7 cars) 14 years old: 17% in good shape (6 cars) 15 years old: 11% in good shape (9 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Honda Accords in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.

What else does ~$14k buy? A used Honda Accord typically sells for around $13,953 — compare the odds of getting a good car across every make at that budget. Compare →
More on Honda
Fit 32 cars · 72% good CR-V 92 cars · 54% good Odyssey 56 cars · 52% good Civic 149 cars · 51% good Pilot 47 cars · 41% good

Other Honda models we've inspected — or see the full Honda profile.

Straight from recent Honda Accord reports

2016 Honda Accord · 41k mi — flagged: fuel trim out of range, tires condition & wear, anti-lock braking system / traction control / vehicle stability assist. Inspected Sep 5.
2013 Honda Accord · 183k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fuel trim out of range, tires condition & wear. Inspected Aug 22.
The bottom line

These Accords often come with a painted-over past and engines that leak oil or run with fuel trim out of range. Structural repairs hit 14 percent of them, so start underneath looking for welds, fresh undercoating, and odd panel gaps before you pop the hood. Then hunt oil seepage, confirm fuel trim on a live scan, and check tires and bushings for cheap upkeep. Cleared codes mean something may have been reset just for the sale. Walk if you find structural work or a messy engine; otherwise those issues are your negotiating chip.

FAQ
?
Is the Honda Accord reliable?
37% of the 118 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 52/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
?
What are the most common problems on a used Honda Accord?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (59%), fuel trim out of range (58%), tires condition & wear (50%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 32% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Honda Accord? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 118 inspections · updated Sep 11, 2026