Part of the Honda CR-V Mk3 (2007–2012) guide: best and worst years compared.
2007 Honda CR-V petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Honda CR-V first registered in 2007 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 19,446 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Honda CR-V petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Honda CR-V petrol than on all cars registered in 2007.
- Track rod ends2.8× usualHonda CR-V15.6% All 2007 cars5.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Ball joint dust cover3× usualHonda CR-V13.5% All 2007 cars4.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Steering rack inner joints3.5× usualHonda CR-V11.4% All 2007 cars3.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Anti-roll bar link joints1.7× usualHonda CR-V7.4% All 2007 cars4.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Steering rack2.9× usualHonda CR-V3.2% All 2007 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Rigid brake pipes: 0.6% here, against 10.9% of all 2007 cars. Engine oil leaks: 3.8% here, against 12.3% of all 2007 cars.
Common 2007 Honda CR-V petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2007 Honda CR-V petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension53% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Lights and electrics37% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres30% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Brakes24% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Steering13% of testsRough price £100–£450
At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors10% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults on the 2007 Honda CR-V petrol
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Air con compressor failure
Air con compressors can fail, leaving the air con weak or warm.
At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows properly cold.
- All engines
Steering pulling or juddering
Pulling to the left or judder on tight turns can be signs of a steering problem.
At the viewing: Drive on a straight road and do some tight turns.
- All engines
Flat battery after standing
The ignition switch can keep drawing power when the car is parked, flattening the battery.
At the viewing: Ask whether the battery has gone flat after the car has sat for a few days.
- All engines
Misty rear lights
Water getting into the rear light units is quite common.
At the viewing: Look for fogging inside the rear lights.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Honda CR-V petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2007 Honda CR-V petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2007 Honda CR-V petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2007 Honda CR-V petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Honda CR-V?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Honda CR-V compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 172 | Tyres 7% |
| 2022 | 5,319 | Tyres 16% |
| 2021 | 11,559 | Tyres 17% |
| 2020 | 16,511 | Tyres 17% |
| 2019 | 24,647 | Tyres 19% |
| 2018 | 27,651 | Tyres 23% |
| 2017 | 35,474 | Tyres 25% |
| 2016 | 42,221 | Tyres 25% |
| 2015 | 42,809 | Tyres 26% |
| 2014 | 43,941 | Tyres 27% |
| 2013 | 42,130 | Tyres 27% |
| 2012 | 37,188 | Suspension 30% |
| 2011 | 29,303 | Suspension 35% |
| 2010 | 29,736 | Suspension 39% |
| 2009 | 28,041 | Suspension 49% |
| 2008 | 30,817 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 28,289 | Suspension 60% |
| 2005 | 25,957 | Suspension 59% |
| 2004 | 18,131 | Suspension 60% |
| 2003 | 14,478 | Suspension 62% |
| 2002 | 9,696 | Suspension 62% |
| 2001 | 3,575 | Suspension 60% |
| 2000 | 2,219 | Suspension 64% |
| 1999 | 1,492 | Suspension 63% |
| 1998 | 1,052 | Suspension 62% |
| 1997 | 297 | Suspension 63% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Honda CR-V cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score