Honda Cr V MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,113,053 real DVSA MOT tests on the Honda Cr V — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Mk3 (2001–2006), RD (2007–2012), RE (2012–2018), RW (2018–2023), Mk5 (2018–2023).
Where the Honda Cr V fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Honda Cr V is track rod ends worn — this model is 69 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,113,053 MOT tests, 2.09% of all Honda Cr V tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (35x the fleet average), headlight fault (81x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (31x the fleet average), and towbar fault (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Honda Cr V's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Steering, Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Honda Cr V before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Honda Cr V's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Honda Cr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (81x the average) and track rod ends worn (69x). structural corrosion (37x) and anti-roll bar links worn (31x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Honda Cr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (52x the average) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (35x). exhaust system damage (19x) and towbar fault (18x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Honda Cr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (63x the average) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (32x). tyre wear or damage (17x) and towbar fault (16x) also appear frequently.
The shift from headlight fault at lower mileages to emissions failure at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
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Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Honda Cr V specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe corrosion near suspension mounting points (RD/RE) Dangerous
MOT data shows CR-V models from 2007-2018 fail at 25.1x the fleet average for structural corrosion within 30cm of suspension component mounting points. Affects RD, RE; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Dual mass flywheel failure (RE) Major
The dual mass flywheel (DMF) on N22A diesel engines in fourth generation CR-Vs is prone to internal spring failure and bearing wear. Affects RE; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£800.
DPF blockage and regeneration issues (RE) Major
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) on fourth generation CR-V diesel engines frequently blocks due to insufficient regeneration cycles, particularly in vehicles used primarily for short urban journeys. Affects RE; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
Suspension component corrosion (RD/RE) Major
MOT data shows CR-V models fail at 47.2x the fleet average for suspension component corrosion, affecting control arms, subframes, and mounting brackets. Affects RD, RE; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Honda Cr V common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Honda Cr V
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Honda Cr V:
Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, anti-roll bar links worn, suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe.... Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe corrosion near suspension mounting points and dual mass flywheel failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Honda Cr V MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda Cr V?
Based on 1,113,053 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is track rod ends worn — at 69x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and headlight fault.
Is the Honda Cr V reliable based on MOT data?
The Honda Cr V has 21 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe corrosion near suspension mounting points as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Honda Cr V most commonly fails on emissions failure and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are headlight fault and track rod ends worn.
How do I check a Honda Cr V's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.