Used car guide

2005 Honda CR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Honda CR-Vs, from 7,369 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,369MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
6,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Honda CR-Vs than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Honda CR-V
    24.2% All 2005 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.3% of all 2005 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.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Honda CR-V
    27.1% All 2005 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 4.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.5× usual
    Honda CR-V
    14.5% All 2005 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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 ends2.5× usual
    Honda CR-V
    15.3% All 2005 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.8× usual
    Honda CR-V
    13.2% All 2005 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.8% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.2% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Engine oil leaks: 7.2% here, against 14.5% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 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
    48% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    10% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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
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%
20045,180Suspension 62%
20034,026Suspension 64%
20022,678Suspension 64%
2001960Suspension 61%
2000578Suspension 65%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Honda CR-Vs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score