HONDA CR V Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 15,004 MOT tests from 1,096 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every HONDA CR V has the same fault.

HONDA CR V's have a very good reliability rating of 643/999. The score was calculated from the average of every HONDA CR V that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the HONDA CR V.

HONDA CR V (example)

Check a Honda Cr V before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	848/999Excellent	88,379 miles	1,779 vehicles
N/A	N/A	832/999Excellent	84,713 miles	3,034 vehicles
N/A	N/A	828/999Excellent	74,208 miles	2,266 vehicles
N/A	N/A	808/999Excellent	75,219 miles	4,637 vehicles
N/A	N/A	787/999Very good	73,802 miles	6,734 vehicles
N/A	N/A	768/999Very good	96,693 miles	3,862 vehicles
N/A	N/A	750/999Very good	76,766 miles	7,487 vehicles
N/A	N/A	717/999Very good	81,151 miles	7,532 vehicles
N/A	N/A	698/999Good	89,539 miles	4,649 vehicles
N/A	N/A	680/999Good	93,860 miles	3,725 vehicles
N/A	N/A	613/999Good	77,403 miles	3,607 vehicles
N/A	N/A	505/999Above average	82,818 miles	1,995 vehicles
N/A	N/A	482/999Average	81,175 miles	3,187 vehicles
N/A	N/A	469/999Average	89,571 miles	939 vehicles
N/A	N/A	461/999Average	80,031 miles	3,656 vehicles
N/A	N/A	447/999Average	80,678 miles	4,350 vehicles
N/A	N/A	441/999Average	84,561 miles	3,858 vehicles
N/A	N/A	437/999Average	80,402 miles	926 vehicles

How reliable is the HONDA CR V?

Based on 15,004 MOT tests from 1,096 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,096

MOT tests

15,004

Pass rate

81.8%

Median mileage

99,905 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every HONDA CR V has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 637 out of 999.

Common HONDA CR V MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,947 advisory comments and 195 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 687 advisory comments and 74 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 206 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 184 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 98 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 78 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 71 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 51 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

HONDA CR V MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2025	5	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	13	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	7	8	100%	Tyre wear
2022	7	15	100%	Tyre wear
2021	16	56	92.9%	Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
2020	18	70	94.3%	Tyre wear
2019	22	120	90.8%	Tyre wear
2018	52	341	92.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	69	539	92.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	90	810	88%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	79	796	88.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	87	1003	86.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	108	1343	85.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	95	1351	82.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	67	1011	83.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	55	907	82%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	52	964	79.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	43	831	79.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2007	61	1353	75%	Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
2006	42	958	75.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2005	29	668	75.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2004	28	719	75.2%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2003	15	391	75.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2002	19	501	74.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used HONDA CR V

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a HONDA CR V?

Common problems tell you what can affect HONDA CR Vs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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