Used car guide

2012 Honda CR-Z petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Honda CR-Z first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 464 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 464 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

464MOTs of 2012 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
75%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
6,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    11.2% All 2012 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Ball joint dust cover3× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    7.3% All 2012 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    30% 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.

  • Suspension
    28% 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
    25% 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
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2012 Honda CR-Z petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Honda CR-Z?

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-Z compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015–Too few tests
2014489Brakes 27%
2013864Brakes 29%
20114,216Suspension 31%
20103,832Brakes 31%

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-Z cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score