Honda CR-V MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 203,583 MOT tests on the Honda CR-V carried out in 2023. 26% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 CR-V models passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2013 models did best (82% passed, +13.8 points against the average for 10-year-old cars), while 1997 models fared worst (53%, −11.9 points). Tested cars had covered 91,195 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 11.7% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.5% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 203,583
- First-time pass rate
- 74%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +2.6 points
- Average mileage at test
- 91,195
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular CR-V?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
CR-V MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 184 | 97% | 91% | +5.9 points | 20,987 |
| 2020 | 5,607 | 93% | 88% | +5.6 points | 22,184 |
| 2019 | 8,386 | 93% | 86% | +6.5 points | 28,311 |
| 2018 | 9,455 | 89% | 84% | +5.0 points | 38,337 |
| 2017 | 12,006 | 89% | 82% | +6.9 points | 47,952 |
| 2016 | 14,287 | 87% | 79% | +8.9 points | 57,059 |
| 2015 | 14,484 | 85% | 75% | +10.0 points | 66,113 |
| 2014 | 14,883 | 84% | 72% | +11.9 points | 75,077 |
| 2013 | 14,268 | 82% | 68% | +13.8 points | 82,554 |
| 2012 | 12,644 | 77% | 66% | +11.1 points | 87,513 |
| 2011 | 10,033 | 75% | 63% | +11.8 points | 99,200 |
| 2010 | 10,321 | 72% | 60% | +12.0 points | 105,237 |
| 2009 | 9,928 | 69% | 59% | +10.0 points | 120,734 |
| 2008 | 11,137 | 65% | 57% | +7.9 points | 127,470 |
| 2007 | 15,552 | 59% | 57% | +2.0 points | 130,619 |
| 2006 | 10,533 | 56% | 56% | −0.6 points | 132,894 |
| 2005 | 9,899 | 55% | 56% | −1.4 points | 134,760 |
| 2004 | 6,874 | 51% | 56% | −5.1 points | 131,099 |
| 2003 | 5,659 | 50% | 57% | −6.9 points | 133,651 |
| 2002 | 3,809 | 52% | 58% | −5.9 points | 136,253 |
| 2001 | 1,461 | 53% | 59% | −5.5 points | 119,420 |
| 2000 | 938 | 54% | 61% | −6.2 points | 120,698 |
| 1999 | 644 | 55% | 62% | −7.4 points | 129,210 |
| 1998 | 441 | 55% | 64% | −9.3 points | 124,371 |
| 1997 | 137 | 53% | 64% | −11.9 points | 125,926 |
Why the Honda CR-V fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | CR-V | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.7% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 8.9% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 5.3% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.8% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.5%
- 2ball joint excessively worn3.1%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
- 5does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
- 6ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
- 7projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.8%
- 8inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.7%
- 9pin or bush excessively worn1.4%
- 10provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%
Common CR-V MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used CR-V, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.6% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.1% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 6.5% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 6.2% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.9% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.5% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.7% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.6% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.4% |
Tips to help your CR-V pass
Based on where CR-V models most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 11.7% of CR-V tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 5.3% of CR-V tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the CR-V ULEZ compliant? See the Honda CR-V ULEZ check, or view all Honda models.
Other Honda models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 203,583 first MOT tests of the Honda CR-V carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 203,583 first MOT tests of the Honda CR-V.
What is the Honda CR-V MOT failure rate?
In our data, 26% of 203,583 first MOT attempts on the Honda CR-V ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Honda CR-V fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (11.7% of tests), suspension (8.9% of tests), brakes (5.3% of tests).
Which CR-V year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2013 cars performed best: 82% passed first time, +13.8 points against the average for 10-year-old cars. The weakest was 1997, at 53% (−11.9 points).
How many miles had a typical Honda CR-V covered at its MOT?
The average was 91,195 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 20,987 miles and 1997 cars 125,926.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Honda CR-V?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 16.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 4.8% of CR-V models failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific CR-V's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 203,583 CR-V models in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 50% to 97% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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