Used car guide

2023 Honda CR-V: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Honda CR-V first registered in 2023: we looked at the 172 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 172 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

172MOTs of 2023 cars, done in 2023–2025
96%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
8,000typical miles a year
7%had tyres flagged

Common 2023 Honda CR-V MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2023 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    7% 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
    1% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    1% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

Known faults on the 2023 Honda CR-V

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.

  • Driver's airbag inflator

    Some cars

    Moisture can get into the driver's airbag propellant, so it could deploy slowly or the inflator could rupture.

    At the viewing: Ask a Honda dealer whether the airbag recall applies and was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Honda CR-V (2018-2023) reliability

  • Hybrid warnings and power loss

    Hybrid

    Hybrid owners report unexpected warning lights and occasional loss of power, and long waits for parts.

    At the viewing: Drive it and watch for warnings.

    Source: What Car?: used Honda CR-V (2018-2023) reliability

  • Infotainment freezing

    All engines

    Screens can freeze and Bluetooth drop out. Software updates often fix it.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and connect your phone.

    Source: What Car?: used Honda CR-V (2018-2023) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Honda CR-V

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

  1. Has the airbag recall been done?
  2. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20225,319Tyres 16%
202111,559Tyres 17%
202016,511Tyres 17%
201924,647Tyres 19%
201827,651Tyres 23%
201735,474Tyres 25%
201642,221Tyres 25%
201542,809Tyres 26%
201443,941Tyres 27%
201342,130Tyres 27%
201237,188Suspension 30%
201129,303Suspension 35%
201029,736Suspension 39%
200928,041Suspension 49%
200830,817Suspension 52%
200741,912Suspension 56%
200628,289Suspension 60%
200525,957Suspension 59%
200418,131Suspension 60%
200314,478Suspension 62%
20029,696Suspension 62%
20013,575Suspension 60%
20002,219Suspension 64%
19991,492Suspension 63%
19981,052Suspension 62%
1997297Suspension 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 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score