The Honda Accord is a popular series of automobiles sold by the leading Japanese manufacturer on a world-wide basis. One of its most successful models, it is available in a huge number of variants including sedans, hatchbacks, coupes and estates. Its wide spread distribution has seen the car become a very good choice for second hand buyers – but if you are thinking of purchasing a used Accord, be aware of the following danger signs.
Brakes
When you take your Accord for a test drive can you feel a rattling, shaking or rubbing sensation? If this is the case then it could be that you have warped front brake rotors, especially if the Honda vehicle has clocked up more than 98,000 miles. Brake pads might be cheap, but rotor replacement is an expensive job and thus any issues here should dissuade you from making a purchase.
Transmission
Trouble with the gears? If your transmission slips, shifts, skips or seems to fail to get into gear completely then the chances are the transmission is the likely culprit on any Accord that’s completed over 70,000 miles. Fortunately repairs will be free on an Accord under the Honda warranty, otherwise you will be looking at a very hefty bill.
Steering
One of the problems widely reported on early model Accords was an issue with the steering wheel not turning correctly and sticking in position. The wrong type of grease on the rack is the actual cause of this fault, which may require you to replace the affected part as a remedy.
Interior
Want a tidy and neat car? Be sure to take a good look through the interior set -up of any accord you are thinking of buying. Over time the seats can become rigid and uncomfortable, the floor is known to separate from the carpet creating an annoying loose feeling and the CD player can regularly malfunction, displaying error messages.
Power Locking on Doors
There are a couple of known issues with the power locks on the doors on some Accords. The first is where the locks on the doors engage without any prompt from the remote locking unit. This problem could be caused by one of the recognised faults with both the control system and the locking unit.
Malfunctions in the door unit can also lead to problems with the alarm triggering randomly. To fix this problem each door needs to have its actuator unit replaced individually.
Cam Belt (Timing Belt)
One of the most costly problems you are likely to encounter in a used Accord is an issue with the cam belt. When you take the car for a drive listen for a tell-tale diesel-like rattling as the car’s engine performs at between 2000 and 3000 RPM. This can be fixed with a mechanical tensioner, but if the problem is too advanced you could be looking at a complete engine rebuild.
Suspension
Does the second hand Honda Accord suffer from problems when you turn corners? Listen for a squealing sound and a shuddering feeling through the control system, which is indicative of problems within the suspension mechanism. This is usually due to cracks in the compliance bushing, which will need to be fully replaced.
The Honda Accord is a good second hand car that is widely recognised as a sensible investment. It is known for its reliability and generally suffers from few faults during its lifespan. With a wide range of models available there should be one that suits your needs and at a price that won’t break the bank, this is a sensible choice for any motorist on a budget.
For affordable replacement engines, gearboxes and more, check out our new and used Honda Accord parts page.
.png "Plant trees in BreakerLinks forest")
