2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid?

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

• Ball joint dust cover4.3× usual
  Honda CR-Z

  12.1% All 2011 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, 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 ends2.1× usual
  Honda CR-Z

  10.2% All 2011 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, 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.

• Link ball joint covers2× usual
  Honda CR-Z

  4.9% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, 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.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings3× usual
  Honda CR-Z

  3.3% All 2011 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  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-Z hybrid MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  32% 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
  29% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  16% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid

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

1. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?