Motoring Discussion > Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure
Thread Author: Lygonos	Replies: 23

Thu 18 Sep 14 19:48   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

59 plate FRV, now with almost 70k miles - failed MOT on badly leaking front left strut. Same strut was noted to be weeping at a service and I had it replaced in July by Honda (at a not inconsiderable £250) Unfortunately Honda have the shock on back order and will be 2 weeks until it's available. So the car's off the road awaiting a warranty repair and MOT. Dealer contacted Honda UK in view of the very premature failure of a Honda component, and we now have a Nissan Pathfinder auto (needed 6+ seats plus slushbox) on rental from Enterprise at no cost until they can fix the FRV. I wonder which other dealerships/importers would have done the same for a 5 yr old car. (ps. before anyone thinks I was stitched up on the first replacement - other than the cost - it was definitely a new unit fitted in July!) (pps. and I did look on t'web for OEM shocks and found nowt) In other news, the 14yr old Forester S Turbo passed after having new front anti-roll bar bushes replaced for a whopping £50. Last edited by: Lygonos on Thu 18 Sep 14 at 19:53 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 19:53   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Zero

In fairness probably most, its not a failure of a 5 year old 75k car, its a failure of a brand new replacement part (Honda part, fitted by a honda dealer, full retail payment) in three months, and what? 3k miles at most? Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 18 Sep 14 at 21:42 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 19:57   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

True, but I expect they're paying over £50/day to give us a car until it's fixed. (2 week hire for me of same vehicle would be £900 - I expect a suitable discount would be forthcoming between businesses though) Last edited by: Lygonos on Thu 18 Sep 14 at 19:59 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 19:55   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - mikeyb

Good gesture from Honda, and one which will make you see them in a positive light in the future. I often think that the way they handle these issues is, in some ways, more important than the issue itself Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 20:06   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - sooty123

>> and we now have a Nissan Pathfinder auto (needed 6+ seats plus slushbox) on rental >> from Enterprise at no cost until they can fix the FRV. How are you finding it? I found them a bit tight on space for what is a big car. A bit tacky inside although the one I was for outside the UK. Is the interior look dated by about 15 years. Reasonable pokey with the V6 under the bonnet, I take it you have the diesel? Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 20:12   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

Even more agricultural than my Shogun was, but doing the job. Is a top-spec one with unnecessarily complex stereo/sat nav and all the trimmings - would pass the grade in the US but here it's a couple of notches below the Shogun and way behind AUDI etc. Drives ok but it feels like a slightly softened off-roader rather than a toughened-up road car (which in fairness it is). About 190bhp from the diesel engine but must weigh a good 2000kg+ so no rocketship. The FRV is outstanding when you need 3 kids' seats across the back, and lets you take a 3rd adult without affecting bootspace... in a car that has a similar footprint to a Civic. Will be nice to get it back but I am a car-addict like most on the forum so am always up for a wee test drive :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 20:11   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Zero

>> failed MOT on badly leaking front left strut. >> >> Same strut was noted to be weeping at a service and I had it replaced >> in July by Honda (at a not inconsiderable £250) >> >> Unfortunately Honda have the shock on back order and will be 2 weeks until it's >> available. The more suspicious of us would wonder if the thing was actually changed...... Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 20:14   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

>>The more suspicious of us would wonder if the thing was actually changed...... As was I - have heard all the 'wee squirt of oil' anecdotes about damper failures - but I checked after the replacement and the damper was brand new as were the bolts. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 22:21   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Ted

I would possibly imagine that main dealers have some sort of insurance to cover this type of incident. I asked my caravan dealer if they were concerned about the amount of time and money they were putting into my ' new ' caravan rebuild. Maybe a couple of grand at customer's rates. He said they were insured against unknown faults occurring in vans being sold. So that's why he offered us a new carpet and laminate flooring in the loo at no cost to us. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 22:28   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Armel Coussine

Dealers don't have to pay for defective manufacturer parts obviously. They are simply replaced by the manufacturer. Even so, I am a bit shocked that a Honda front strut can last only 2000 miles. Something wrong there I would think. I would suspect damage inflicted during fitting. A lot of fitters are hopeless brutal monkeys I have observed. Fitting some of these componenets can be quite a rigmarole. A lot of rubbers in the right order, if you have them. Much worse than people think. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 22:48   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

I expect the part will be heading back to Honda for inspection, especially if they shill out a grand on it. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 22:51   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Westpig

>> Even so, I am a bit shocked that a Honda front strut can last only >> 2000 miles. Something wrong there I would think. I would suspect damage inflicted during fitting. >> A lot of fitters are hopeless brutal monkeys I have observed. Steady on, it might be the mad Scottish doctor driving up mountain paths too fast. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 22:54   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

I occasionally straddle the odd speed hump if the wheels go either side without touching, but otherwise I'm pretty gentle on the suspension. The engine on the other hand needs its neck wrung every so often being a VTEC though. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 23:05   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Kevin

>So that's why he offered us a new carpet and laminate flooring in the loo at no cost to us. Mmmm, that sounds suspicious. Are you sure that he hasn't been renting it out by the hour to local businesswomen? Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 19 Sep 14 08:40   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Zero

>> >So that's why he offered us a new carpet and laminate flooring in the loo >> at no cost to us. >> >> Mmmm, that sounds suspicious. Are you sure that he hasn't been renting it out by >> the hour to local businesswomen? Yes good point, "golden showers" specialist you are thinking? Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 23:15   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Boxsterboy

>> 59 plate FRV, now with almost 70k miles - failed MOT on badly leaking front >> left strut. >> >> Same strut was noted to be weeping at a service and I had it replaced >> in July by Honda (at a not inconsiderable £250) >> >> I wonder which other dealerships/importers would have done the same for a 5 yr old >> car. >> Most main dealers guarantee their work for at least 6 months, so in answer to your question, I would expect all dealers to replace a defective part that they fitted that only lasted 2 months. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 18 Sep 14 23:18   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Lygonos

>>Most main dealers guarantee their work for at least 6 months, so in answer to your question, I would expect all dealers to replace a defective part that they fitted that only lasted 2 months. That part is a given, BB. It's the fast action on a hire car I appreciate. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 17:05   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - J Bonington Jagworth

I tried to persuade my son to buy an FRV to accommodate his expanding family, but it was a bit unconventional for him. Struck me as a sensible vehicle, though - like a Multipla but slightly less bonkers and reliable to boot! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 18:06   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Alastairw

My brother loves his. 10 years old, getting a bit tired, he is keeping it going as long as possible as there is no equivalent currently on sale. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 18:53   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Old Navy

>> My brother loves his. 10 years old, getting a bit tired, he is keeping it >> going as long as possible as there is no equivalent currently on sale. >> Much the same as my daughters 07 FRV family bus, she wants to run it till it dies. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 18:12   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Runfer D'Hills

My brother in law bought a new Pathfinder to tow his caravan back in 2009. He still has it and it's been ok apart from a twice collapsed driver's seat which was replaced twice under warranty. He was disappointed of course but I stopped short of pointing out that he is a bit of a FB, actually quite a bit of one to be honest. He's about 6'2" whichever way, direction or circumference you care to measure him. Only gets 33mpg on a good day and 15-17 mpg when towing his shed which having twin axles is apparently a good one. And it has an "awning" and "pods" which is also a good thing he assures me. Wouldn't know. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 19:17   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - mikeyb

>> He's about 6'2" whichever way, direction or circumference you care >> to measure him. >> >> Only gets 33mpg on a good day and 15-17 mpg when towing his shed which >> having twin axles is apparently a good one. And it has an "awning" and "pods" >> which is also a good thing he assures me. Wouldn't know. >> Sounds like your just jealous. Go on, you know you want to! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 19:26   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Zero

>> >> having twin axles is apparently a good one. And it has an "awning" and >> "pods" >> >> which is also a good thing he assures me. Wouldn't know. >> >> >> >> Sounds like your just jealous. >> >> Go on, you know you want to! He seems terribly au fait with the whole caravan thing and terminology. I suspect some pre purchase research is going on. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 22 Sep 14 20:56   Honda FR-V 3+3 MPV - MOT failure - Runfer D'Hills

Not a chance, although it has been mentioned that I have plenty of room to "pitch" one or whatever the correct term is for parking one outside the house. I'd rather have gnomes. ( I hate gnomes BTW ) Haven't got a well anyway, so gnomes aren't really an option either. They need somewhere to fish don't they, gnomes? Reply to this message | Report message