Honda Hr V MOT Failures
An analysis of 89,705 real DVSA MOT tests on the Honda Hr V — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GH (1999–2006), RU (2015–2021).
Where the Honda Hr V fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Honda Hr V is engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... — this model is 66 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 89,705 MOT tests, 2.92% of all Honda Hr V tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (46x the fleet average), headlight fault (39x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (20x the fleet average), and seat mounting fault (15x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Honda Hr 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: Bodywork, Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Honda Hr 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 Hr 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 Hr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (66x the average) and headlight fault (39x). parking brake inefficient (38x) and abs fault (29x) 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 Hr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft bent or badly damaged (227x the average) and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (40x). suspension component damaged or corroded (30x) and abs fault (27x) 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 Hr V specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (17x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (12x). suspension ball joints worn (11x) and abs fault (11x) also appear frequently.
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 Hr V specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe corrosion and structural deterioration (GH) Dangerous
The first-generation HR-V suffers severe structural corrosion around suspension mounting points and load-bearing areas. Affects GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Brake hose ferrule corrosion (GH) Dangerous
Brake hose ferrules (the metal crimped connections at each end of flexible brake hoses) corrode at 28x the fleet average on first-generation HR-Vs. Affects GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
Engine mounting bracket failure (GH) Major
The 1.6-litre petrol engine mounts deteriorate rapidly on first-generation HR-Vs, with MOT failures occurring at The rubber elements degrade and the metal brackets corrode, allowing excessive engine movement that can damage surrounding components. Affects GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension component corrosion (GH) Major
Suspension components on first-generation HR-Vs suffer extensive corrosion damage, with MOT failures at 30.2x the fleet average. Affects GH; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Honda Hr V common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Honda Hr V
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Honda Hr V:
Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det..., structural corrosion. Suspension — check for abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe corrosion and structural deterioration and brake hose ferrule 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 Hr V?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Honda Hr V MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Honda Hr V?
Based on 89,705 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... — at 66x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and headlight fault.
Is the Honda Hr V reliable based on MOT data?
The Honda Hr V has 16 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe corrosion and structural deterioration 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 Hr V most commonly fails on engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... and headlight fault.
How do I check a Honda Hr 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.