Honda Cr Z MOT Failures
An analysis of 30,033 real DVSA MOT tests on the Honda Cr Z — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: ZF1 (2010–2016).
Where the Honda Cr Z fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Honda Cr Z is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated — this model is 28 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 30,033 MOT tests, 2.83% of all Honda Cr Z tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (11x the fleet average), significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (8.2x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (37x the fleet average), and electrical wiring fault (5.6x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Honda Cr Z'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: Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Honda Cr Z 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 Z'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 Z specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (37x the average) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (11x). track rod ends worn (9.7x) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (6.3x) 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 Z specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (28x the average) and track rod ends worn (8.2x). anti-roll bar links worn (8.2x) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (6.3x) 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 Z specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (14x the average) and track rod ends worn (11x). significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (8.2x) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... also appear frequently.
The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated 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.
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 Z specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting area corrosion (ZF1) Dangerous
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of suspension mounting points shows premature corrosion on CR-Z models. Affects ZF1; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
General body structure corrosion (ZF1) Major
The CR-Z shows accelerated body structure corrosion that affects overall vehicle rigidity. Affects ZF1; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,500.
Brake binding issues (ZF1) Major
The CR-Z hybrid system creates specific brake binding problems due to the interaction between regenerative braking and conventional disc brakes. Affects ZF1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
IMA hybrid battery degradation (ZF1) Major
The Honda IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) battery pack in the CR-Z is known to degrade over time, particularly after 80,000 miles or 8-10 years. Affects ZF1; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£2,500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Honda Cr Z common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Honda Cr Z
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Honda Cr Z:
Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, anti-roll bar links worn. Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Brakes — check for significant brake effort recorded with no brake....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting area corrosion and general body structure corrosion. 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.
Looking at a specific Honda Cr Z?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Honda Cr Z MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda Cr Z?
Based on 30,033 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated — at 28x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and significant brake effort recorded with no brake....
Is the Honda Cr Z reliable based on MOT data?
The Honda Cr Z has 6 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting area corrosion 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 Z most commonly fails on suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated and track rod ends worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are anti-roll bar links worn and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
How do I check a Honda Cr Z'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.