Honda HR-V: what fails at MOT
49,000 MOT tests on the Honda HR-V in 2024, counted. 11% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
10.9% of Honda HR-V tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 17.2%, so the HR-V does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (2.3% of tests), wipers, washers and windscreen (2% of tests) and brakes (1.8% 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 | 600 | 7.2% | 10.9% | 18,600 14,400 to 24,800 |
| 2020 | 7,120 | 6.9% | 11.5% | 22,900 15,800 to 31,400 |
| 2019 | 8,085 | 6.8% | 13.4% | 27,900 20,000 to 37,600 |
| 2018 | 9,261 | 10.2% | 15.6% | 36,100 26,200 to 48,700 |
| 2017 | 8,781 | 11.9% | 18.2% | 45,200 31,900 to 59,900 |
| 2016 | 9,977 | 13.8% | 21.3% | 52,900 38,000 to 69,900 |
| 2015 | 4,053 | 15.5% | 24.4% | 61,900 46,500 to 80,400 |
| 2004 | 353 | 44.2% | 42.3% | 102,800 75,400 to 121,500 |
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 HR-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 | HR-V | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 2.3% | 3.6% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.0% | 2.1% | |
| Brakes | 1.8% | 2.4% | |
| Lights and electrics | 1.3% | 3.3% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 1.1% | 2.3% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.3% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.4%
- Brake pads1.4%
- Wipers1.3%
- Tyre tread0.8%
- Washers0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.7%
- Shock absorbers0.4%
- Tyre pressure warning system0.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.3%
- Engine warning light0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.8%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.4%
- Tyre pressure warning system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.3%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.3%
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 edge8.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.1%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.1%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.3%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Honda HR-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.