Used Honda Accord For Sale

A history lesson…

It’s a tough gig for any saloon car which isn’t a Mondeo or 3-Series to get in on the fun. And Honda’s Accord has always been the nearly-man. It’s a shame because, in truth, the Accord is probably more technically capable than the Mondeo and definitely a great option over the 3-Series for those who want something that isn’t obvious.

The Accord is Honda’s idea of a saloon: technological, innovative and a little bit quirky. If you want to own a saloon that will appeal to your geek side, the Accord is without question the car for you. And if you want to get something that isn’t a 3-Series, the Accord really is a fantastic option.

Just don’t expect it to out-corner the aforementioned German, but that is not what this car is about.

Bang for your buck

Pound-for-pound, the Accord is a world-beater. It’s not only noticeably cheaper than almost all its rivals, but it’s well equipped, too. That’s not to say it’s cheaply made, it’s just that Honda have managed to price the Accord in that bracket which makes it very tempting.

Newer models receive almost every bit of gadgetry you can think off. There’s adaptive cruise-control available, ABS, traction control and the usual choice of engines.

Older models can be a little tedious, as there isn’t much punch to go with the cheap list cost, but hey, if it’s individuality you want, an Accord is perfect.

What you’ll pay

Residuals on the Honda Accord are poor to that of a 3-Series or Mondeo, but that just means they’re a great buy for used car buyers. 2008 models with a v-tec engine around going for around £11,000, which is a great price for such a new and low mileage motor with all the tech to boot.

What to check

If it’s a newer model with the adaptive cruise control you really need to make sure everything electrical works. Just imagine driving down the road with the ACC on and it’s actually not working – not good! A basic check of all the usual points is enough on an Accord, thanks to Honda’s superb reliability.

Parts

Honda is like Ford: very cheap for parts. A headlamp unit for your Accord will set you back around £250, while a new radiator goes for £150 and an alternator is £300.

How it drives

It’s anything but a BMW 3-Series on-the-road, but on the other hand it’s also probably more capable than a Ford Mondeo. Really, it’s between the two, and that makes it a great choice for the driver who wants a nice driving car for the A-roads but then a comfortable cruiser for the motorways with the kids in the back.

There are things about the Accord which do disappoint. The interior is not up to German quality, so if you’re used to BMW build quality, you will probably end up feeling a bit downbeat, but aside from that, it’s a very impressive, alternative saloon.

It’s as safe as houses, drives really well and will keep you happy with decent MPG returns and respectable residuals. If a BMW is out of your price range, the Accord really is a no-brainer for any driver.