Honda CR-V Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Honda CR-V passes its MOT first time on 73.6% of tests, 8.0 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (65.6%). That puts it ahead of 83% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2019 CR-V does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2003 worst (beats 46%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Hybrid does best (beats 99%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 75%).

Better than average on suspension, brakes, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Anti-roll bar links1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Honda CR-VTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 24%

Beats 32%

Beats 33%

Beats 43%

Beats 49%

Beats 50%

Beats 46%

Beats 50%

Beats 62%

Beats 63%

Beats 72%

Beats 87%

Beats 93%

Beats 95%

Beats 95%

Beats 95%

Beats 98%

Beats 98%

Beats 97%

Beats 97%

Beats 95%

Beats 93%

Beats 99%

Beats 98%

Beats 97%

Beats 96%

Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1997–2018	797,951	69.1%	Beats 75%	B
2.2 Diesel	2005–2015	581,499	70.8%	Beats 87%	A
1.6 Diesel	2013–2018	264,244	86.4%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Hybrid	2019–2023	61,767	92.8%	Beats 99%	A
1.5 Petrol	2018–2020	36,200	92.0%	Beats 98%	A
2.2 Petrol	2007–2007	1,156	58.7%	Beats 66%	B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

12.2% vs 15.2%

Suspension

9.0% vs 12.0%

Brakes

5.4% vs 9.1%

Tyres

4.7% vs 7.2%

Visibility

4.7% vs 5.7%

Emissions & leaks

2.7% vs 4.3%

Body & structure

2.4% vs 4.9%

Steering

2.1% vs 2.6%

Seat belts & airbags

0.9% vs 1.6%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Anti-roll bar links 1.7× typical
A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Headlight bulbs & units
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
Windscreen wipers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Tyre tread depth
Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Honda CR-VTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	3.3%	4.2%	0.8×
Sidelights	2.9%	3.9%	0.7×
Brake lights	2.9%	2.9%	1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units	2.6%	2.8%	0.9×
Windscreen wipers	2.5%	2.5%	1.0×
Tyre tread depth	2.3%	3.1%	0.8×
Brake pads	2.2%	2.2%	1.0×
Tyre damage & cracking	2.0%	3.8%	0.5×
Windscreen washers	1.8%	2.6%	0.7×
Anti-roll bar links	1.7%	1.0%	1.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	40.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	33.1
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	26.1
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	24.6
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	23.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	23.3
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm	21.2
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	20.4

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Honda CR-V1 engine94.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Hybrid	2,240	94.1%	Beats 99%	A

2022 Honda CR-V1 engine92.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Hybrid	9,544	92.8%	Beats 96%	A

2021 Honda CR-V1 engine92.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Hybrid	16,607	92.4%	Beats 97%	A

2020 Honda CR-V2 engines92.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Hybrid	15,933	93.0%	Beats 99%	A
1.5 Petrol	5,583	91.7%	Beats 94%	A

2019 Honda CR-V2 engines92.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	22,709	91.9%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Hybrid	17,443	93.0%	Beats 99%	A

2018 Honda CR-V3 engines89.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	25,197	87.9%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Petrol	22,438	89.2%	Beats 90%	A
1.5 Petrol	7,908	92.6%	Beats 99%	A

2017 Honda CR-V2 engines88.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	47,048	87.5%	Beats 95%	A
2.0 Petrol	35,011	89.5%	Beats 95%	A

2016 Honda CR-V2 engines88.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	73,104	87.5%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Petrol	39,031	89.0%	Beats 97%	A

2015 Honda CR-V3 engines86.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	66,066	86.2%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Petrol	42,721	87.4%	Beats 97%	A
2.2 Diesel	18,742	85.9%	Beats 97%	A

2014 Honda CR-V3 engines84.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	45,195	85.5%	Beats 97%	A
2.2 Diesel	44,069	84.7%	Beats 98%	A
1.6 Diesel	41,479	83.4%	Beats 97%	A

2013 Honda CR-V3 engines83.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	61,533	82.9%	Beats 99%	A
2.0 Petrol	52,640	84.1%	Beats 98%	A
1.6 Diesel	11,350	82.7%	Beats 98%	A

2012 Honda CR-V2 engines79.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	61,833	78.4%	Beats 96%	A
2.0 Petrol	47,497	80.1%	Beats 95%	A

2011 Honda CR-V2 engines76.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	59,512	75.7%	Beats 95%	A
2.0 Petrol	27,750	77.8%	Beats 95%	A

2010 Honda CR-V2 engines74.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	44,860	73.8%	Beats 95%	A
2.0 Petrol	44,046	75.8%	Beats 96%	A

2009 Honda CR-V2 engines71.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	62,311	70.2%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Petrol	23,471	73.8%	Beats 95%	A

2008 Honda CR-V2 engines67.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	59,613	65.4%	Beats 83%	A
2.0 Petrol	37,339	69.8%	Beats 91%	A

2007 Honda CR-V3 engines61.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	77,695	60.6%	Beats 71%	B
2.0 Petrol	59,655	62.9%	Beats 74%	B
2.2 Petrol	1,156	58.7%	Beats 66%	B

2006 Honda CR-V2 engines57.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	52,694	56.2%	Beats 61%	B
2.0 Petrol	44,290	59.3%	Beats 66%	B

2005 Honda CR-V2 engines56.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	55,499	56.6%	Beats 62%	B
2.2 Diesel	38,637	55.4%	Beats 62%	B

2004 Honda CR-V1 engine51.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	67,404	51.6%	Beats 50%	C

2003 Honda CR-V1 engine50.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	59,926	50.4%	Beats 46%	C

2002 Honda CR-V1 engine51.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	42,925	51.3%	Beats 50%	C

2001 Honda CR-V1 engine52.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	18,969	52.2%	Beats 49%	C

2000 Honda CR-V1 engine51.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	13,415	51.2%	Beats 43%	C

1999 Honda CR-V1 engine49.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	9,562	49.6%	Beats 33%	D

1998 Honda CR-V1 engine51.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	6,983	51.3%	Beats 32%	D

1997 Honda CR-V1 engine50.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	2,184	50.1%	Beats 24%	D

FAQ

What is the Honda CR-V MOT pass rate?

73.6% of MOT tests on the Honda CR-V were passed first time, based on 1,742,817 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1997–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 65.6% of the time.

Is the Honda CR-V reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 83% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Honda CR-V year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2019 CR-V does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2003 does worst: it beats 46%.

Which Honda CR-V engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Hybrid does best: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 75%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Honda CR-V?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, sidelights, brake lights. Compared with similar cars, anti-roll bar links comes up 1.7× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Honda CR-V reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ