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Honda HR-V reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 236,795 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
85.2%pass first time
+5.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 87%of cars
236,795MOT tests

Verdict

The Honda HR-V passes its MOT first time on 85.2% of tests, 5.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (80.0%). That puts it ahead of 87% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2019 HR-V does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 92%).

Of its engines, the 1.5 Petrol does best (beats 96%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 58%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, tyres, suspension.

Watch these weak spots

Component mounting prescribed areas2.0×as often as a typical car
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.

40%60%80%100%3456789101115161718192093%90%88%83%81%56%55%56%
Honda HR-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.

1999
Beats 50%
2000
Beats 50%
2001
Beats 57%
2002
Beats 64%
2003
Beats 59%
2004
Beats 56%
2005
Beats 62%
2015
Beats 96%
2016
Beats 92%
2017
Beats 93%
2018
Beats 95%
2019
Beats 98%
2020
Beats 96%
2022
Beats 99%
2023
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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol2015–2020129,36590.3%Beats 96%A
1.6 Diesel2015–202062,53886.2%Beats 92%A
1.6 Petrol1999–200529,99556.2%Beats 58%C
1.5 Hybrid2022–202314,89794.5%Beats 99%A

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.

Exhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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.Suspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 3.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.0 ptsTyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.7 ptsBrakes: 3.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.3 ptsSuspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.4 ptsExhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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.Exhaust+0.7 ptsSuspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 3.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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.Lights: 4.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.0 ptsTyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.7 ptsBrakes: 3.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.3 ptsSuspension: 3.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.4 ptsExhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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.Exhaust+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% 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
4.5% vs 6.5%
Visibility
3.9% vs 3.9%
Tyres
3.7% vs 5.3%
Suspension
3.2% vs 4.6%
Brakes
3.1% vs 4.4%
Emissions & leaks
1.3% vs 2.0%
Body & structure
1.0% vs 1.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.6% vs 0.8%
Steering
0.6% vs 1.0%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%

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).
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • 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.

40%60%80%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k96%92%87%82%73%62%55%53%
Honda HR-VTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Windscreen wipers2.5%2.2%1.1×
Headlight aim1.9%2.2%0.9×
Tyre damage & cracking1.9%3.1%0.6×
Brake pads1.6%1.6%1.0×
Tyre tread depth1.4%1.8%0.7×
Windscreen washers1.3%1.5%0.8×
Headlight bulbs & units0.9%1.1%0.9×
Component mounting prescribed areas0.9%0.4%2.0×
Brake lights0.9%1.1%0.8×
Sidelights0.7%1.1%0.7×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen24.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements19.1
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm15.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements13.5
A tyre seriously damaged13.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen12.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn10.4
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired8.5
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 HR-V1 engine94.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Hybrid3,28794.6%Beats 99%A
2022 Honda HR-V1 engine94.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Hybrid11,61094.5%Beats 99%A
2020 Honda HR-V2 engines92.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol12,85992.6%Beats 96%A
1.6 Diesel1,57291.3%Beats 97%A
2019 Honda HR-V2 engines92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol21,69292.6%Beats 98%A
1.6 Diesel2,01089.9%Beats 95%A
2018 Honda HR-V2 engines90.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol28,76790.8%Beats 95%A
1.6 Diesel6,92088.0%Beats 92%A
2017 Honda HR-V2 engines88.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol25,58589.6%Beats 94%A
1.6 Diesel14,46586.7%Beats 91%A
2016 Honda HR-V2 engines87.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol30,14088.5%Beats 94%A
1.6 Diesel23,86085.1%Beats 90%A
2015 Honda HR-V2 engines86.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel13,71185.3%Beats 94%A
1.5 Petrol10,32288.9%Beats 97%A
2005 Honda HR-V1 engine58.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,18958.4%Beats 62%B
2004 Honda HR-V1 engine56.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,98556.1%Beats 56%C
2003 Honda HR-V1 engine56.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol3,25356.4%Beats 59%C
2002 Honda HR-V1 engine57.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol6,16457.9%Beats 64%B
2001 Honda HR-V1 engine55.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol6,35555.4%Beats 57%C
2000 Honda HR-V1 engine54.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol5,83654.4%Beats 50%C
1999 Honda HR-V1 engine55.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol3,21355.9%Beats 50%C

FAQ

What is the Honda HR-V MOT pass rate?

85.2% of MOT tests on the Honda HR-V were passed first time, based on 236,795 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 80.0% of the time.

Is the Honda HR-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 87% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Honda HR-V year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2019 HR-V does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 92%.

Which Honda HR-V engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.5 Petrol does best: it beats 96% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 58%.

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

The most common failure items are windscreen wipers, headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, component mounting prescribed areas comes up 2.0× 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.