Honda CR-V: what fails at MOT
268,000 MOT tests on the Honda CR-V in 2024, counted. 22.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
22.5% of Honda CR-V tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.8%, so the CR-V does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7% of tests), suspension (5.1% of tests) and tyres (3.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,111 | 6.7% | 10.9% | 22,100 15,500 to 30,200 |
| 2020 | 11,145 | 6.9% | 11.5% | 26,800 19,500 to 36,900 |
| 2019 | 13,436 | 7.1% | 13.4% | 33,400 23,800 to 44,100 |
| 2018 | 14,761 | 10.2% | 15.6% | 43,200 32,100 to 56,600 |
| 2017 | 18,383 | 12.5% | 18.2% | 53,200 39,500 to 68,300 |
| 2016 | 21,636 | 12.8% | 21.3% | 61,700 47,500 to 78,600 |
| 2015 | 20,487 | 14.1% | 24.4% | 70,300 53,300 to 89,700 |
| 2014 | 20,274 | 16.6% | 27.7% | 79,000 60,400 to 99,500 |
| 2013 | 18,418 | 18.2% | 30.6% | 85,400 65,900 to 107,800 |
| 2012 | 15,700 | 23.5% | 33.4% | 89,500 68,200 to 112,900 |
| 2011 | 12,201 | 26.7% | 36.1% | 101,700 79,400 to 125,300 |
| 2010 | 12,681 | 27.2% | 38.6% | 107,100 84,900 to 130,800 |
| 2009 | 12,819 | 32.0% | 39.8% | 124,500 100,400 to 150,400 |
| 2008 | 14,405 | 36.3% | 41.5% | 131,100 105,500 to 157,700 |
| 2007 | 19,438 | 40.2% | 41.5% | 135,000 109,200 to 160,100 |
| 2006 | 11,861 | 45.7% | 42.4% | 135,900 109,200 to 164,300 |
| 2005 | 10,599 | 46.3% | 42.2% | 138,300 110,900 to 165,300 |
| 2004 | 7,174 | 49.7% | 42.3% | 134,500 110,100 to 159,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Honda CR-V tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | CR-V | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.0% | 8.2% | |
| Suspension | 5.1% | 6.7% | |
| Tyres | 3.2% | 4.3% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 3.1% | 4.9% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.6% | 3.2% | |
| Steering | 1.5% | 1.5% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 2.4% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.4% | 2.6% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim1.9%
- Brake light1.7%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Tyre1.6%
- Side light1.6%
- Headlamp1.5%
- Wipers1.4%
- Brake pads1.4%
- Washers1.2%
- Track rod end1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Brake light: not working1.5%
- Side light: not working1.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.0%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.0%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.0%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.9%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play2.7%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.1%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Honda CR-V's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.