IsItAGoodCar

Common Problems with the
1998–2003 Honda Accord Mk6

We've identified 3 known issues that can affect the 1998–2003 Honda Accord Mk6. 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Rear Arch, Sill and Floor Corrosion

SeriousBodywork & Rust

Rust around the rear arches, sill ends and floor edges is the defining UK problem on surviving Mk6 Accords, and welding costs can quickly exceed the value of average cars.

Estimated cost: £400–£1,800Affects: 1998–2003Often appears around: Age-related

Typical symptoms

  • •Bubbling paint on rear arches
  • •Crusty sill seams
  • •Historic MOT corrosion advisories

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Inspect the jacking points and inner sills
  • ✓Look inside the rear wheel arches for fresh underseal hiding repairs
  • ✓Read the MOT history for structural corrosion notes

Front Suspension Bush and Ball Joint Wear

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The Accord’s front suspension usually stays quiet for years, but ageing bushes and lower ball joints eventually cause knocks, vague steering and uneven tyre wear.

Estimated cost: £200–£600Affects: 1998–2003Often appears around: 70,000–140,000 miles

Typical symptoms

  • •Clonk over potholes
  • •Vague steering
  • •Inner-edge front tyre wear

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Drive on broken surfaces with the radio off
  • ✓Check for split bushes and joint play during the underside inspection
  • ✓Look for uneven wear across the front tyres

Air-Conditioning Condenser or Compressor Failure

ModerateCooling System

Older Accords often lose air-conditioning performance because the front condenser corrodes or the compressor clutch wears out.

Estimated cost: £250–£700Affects: 1998–2003

Typical symptoms

  • •Air conditioning blows warm
  • •Compressor clicks but no cold air
  • •System loses gas after a regas

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Run the climate control until the cabin should be fully cold
  • ✓Inspect the condenser for oily staining or heavy corrosion
  • ✓Listen for noisy compressor operation at idle

Buying Tips for the 1998 Honda Accord Mk6

  • ✓Inspect the rear arches, sills and floor edges thoroughly because corrosion is what usually kills a Mk6 Accord.
  • ✓Listen for front suspension knocks over rough roads and budget for bushes or ball joints on original cars.
  • ✓Test the air conditioning properly; condenser and compressor issues are common enough on older examples.

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Other Honda Accord Mk6 Year Periods

1998–2003

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