Used car guide

1998 Honda CR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Honda CR-Vs, from 272 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 272 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

272MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
4,600typical miles a year
5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Honda CR-Vs than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints5× usual
    Honda CR-V
    25% All 1998 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usual
    Honda CR-V
    19.5% All 1998 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Steering rack5.8× usual
    Honda CR-V
    11% All 1998 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.1% of all 1998 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Honda CR-V
    17.3% All 1998 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 4.3% of all 1998 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.4× usual
    Honda CR-V
    11.8% All 1998 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.1% of all 1998 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.

By area

The share of 1998 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    62% 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
    33% 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
    31% 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
    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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% 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.

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023175Tyres 7%
20225,158Tyres 16%
20215,799Tyres 17%
20205,546Tyres 17%
20198,298Tyres 19%
20189,252Tyres 24%
201711,858Tyres 25%
201614,110Tyres 25%
201514,238Tyres 26%
201414,636Tyres 27%
201313,912Tyres 28%
201212,275Suspension 35%
20119,527Suspension 40%
20109,598Suspension 44%
20098,808Suspension 54%
20089,323Suspension 55%
200712,378Suspension 59%
20068,315Suspension 62%
20057,369Suspension 62%
20045,180Suspension 62%
20034,026Suspension 64%
20022,678Suspension 64%
2001960Suspension 61%
2000578Suspension 65%
1999369Suspension 66%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Honda CR-Vs registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score