Part of the Honda CR-V Mk5 (2018–2023) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2023 Honda CR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Honda CR-Vs, from 175 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 175 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

175MOT tests in 2025
95%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
8,000typical miles a year
7%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    7% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    1% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Driver's airbag inflator
    Some cars

    Moisture can get into the driver's airbag propellant, so it could deploy slowly or the inflator could rupture.

    At the viewing: Ask a Honda dealer whether the airbag recall applies and was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Honda CR-V (2018-2023) reliability

  • Hybrid warnings and power loss
    Hybrid

    Hybrid owners report unexpected warning lights and occasional loss of power, and long waits for parts.

    At the viewing: Drive it and watch for warnings.

    Source: What Car?: used Honda CR-V (2018-2023) reliability

  • Infotainment freezing
    All engines

    Screens can freeze and Bluetooth drop out. Software updates often fix it.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and connect your phone.

    Source: What Car?: used Honda CR-V (2018-2023) reliability

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%
20057,369Suspension 62%
20045,180Suspension 62%
20034,026Suspension 64%
20022,678Suspension 64%
2001960Suspension 61%
2000578Suspension 65%
1999369Suspension 66%
1998272Suspension 62%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Honda CR-Vs registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score