Used car guide

2021 Honda CR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Honda CR-Vs, from 5,384 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,384MOT tests in 2025
92%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,500typical miles a year
17%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2021 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Brakes
    1% 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.

Looking at a Honda CR-V?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,032Tyres 16%
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%
20089,322Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Honda CR-Vs registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score