Used car guide

2008 Honda CR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Honda CR-Vs, from 9,322 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,322MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,800typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Honda CR-Vs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Track rod end3.2× usual
    Honda CR-V
    17.6% All 2008 cars
    5.5%
    Rough price £80–£450

    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
    13.5% All 2008 cars
    4.8%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Honda CR-V
    9% All 2008 cars
    4.2%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints5.3× usual
    Honda CR-V
    5.3% All 2008 cars
    1%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Pedal5.6× usual
    Honda CR-V
    2.8% All 2008 cars
    0.5%
    Rough 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.7% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Coil springs: 5.3% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    35% 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
    26% 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
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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.

Looking at a Honda CR-V?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,032Tyres 16%
20215,384Tyres 17%
20205,499Tyres 17%
20198,298Tyres 19%
20189,252Tyres 24%
201711,858Tyres 25%
201614,110Tyres 25%
201514,238Tyres 26%
201414,636Tyres 27%
201313,912Tyres 28%
201212,274Suspension 35%
20119,527Suspension 40%
20109,598Suspension 44%
20098,808Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Honda CR-Vs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score