2011 Honda CR-V diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Honda CR-V diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Honda CR-V diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.6× usual
  Honda CR-V

  9.2% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Individual direction indicators2.8× usual
  Honda CR-V

  8.3% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints7.5× usual
  Honda CR-V

  4.5% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
  Honda CR-V

  6.1% All 2011 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Track rod ends1.6× usual
  Honda CR-V

  7.6% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 2.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2011 Honda CR-V diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Honda CR-V diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  37% 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.

• Tyres
  30% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  26% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  21% 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.

• Steering
  7% 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 mirrors
  7% 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 2011 Honda CR-V diesel

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.

• Blocked particulate filter (2.2 diesel)

  2.2 diesel

  The 2.2 diesel’s particulate filter needs regular longer runs to clear, and can lead to expensive problems if it doesn’t get them.

  At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning light.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda CR-V buying guide (2007-2012)

• Air con compressor failure

  All engines

  Air con compressors can fail, leaving the air con weak or warm.

  At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows properly cold.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda CR-V buying guide (2007-2012)

• Steering pulling or juddering

  All engines

  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.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda CR-V buying guide (2007-2012)

• Flat battery after standing

  All engines

  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.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda CR-V buying guide (2007-2012)

• Misty rear lights

  All engines

  Water getting into the rear light units is quite common.

  At the viewing: Look for fogging inside the rear lights.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Honda CR-V buying guide (2007-2012)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Honda CR-V diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Honda CR-V diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2011 Honda CR-V diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2011 Honda CR-V diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?