Used car guide

2013 Honda CR-Z: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Honda CR-Z first registered in 2013: we looked at the 864 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

864MOTs of 2013 cars, done in 2023–2025
79%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%)
6,200typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Honda CR-Z?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Honda CR-Z than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Ball joint dust cover4.9× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    10.2% All 2013 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% of all 2013 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.

  • Braking performance2.9× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    12.5% All 2013 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 2.8% here, against 5.6% of all 2013 cars.

Common 2013 Honda CR-Z MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Honda CR-Z MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    29% 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.

  • Tyres
    26% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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 electrics
    9% 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
    7% 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
    3% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Honda CR-Z

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 4.9× as often on the 2013 Honda CR-Z as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2013 Honda CR-Z 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%
20121,843Brakes 30%
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 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score