Used car guide · 2007–2012

Honda CR-V Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Honda CR-V Mk3 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 61,907 MOT tests.

2010best year: 70% pass first time, 11 points above all 2010 cars
2007weakest year: 57% pass first time, 0 points above all 2007 cars
Anti-roll bar bushes and jointsthe weak spot that shows up in 5 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Honda CR-V Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2007: 57% pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%) 57% 20072008: 60% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 60% 20082009: 65% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%) 65% 20092010: 70% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 70% 20102011: 71% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 71% 20112012: 74% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 74% 2012*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200757%57% +0Track rod ends 2.9× usual12,378
200860%57% +3Track rod ends 3.2× usual9,322
200965%58% +7Track rod ends 3.3× usual8,808
201070%59% +11Track rod ends 2.4× usual9,598
201171%61% +10Individual direction indicators 2.7× usual9,527
2012*74%63% +11Individual direction indicators 2.5× usual12,274

Weak spots across the Honda CR-V Mk3

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and jointsup to 6.6× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    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.

  • Track rod endsup to 3.3× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    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 coverup to 3.1× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link jointsup to 2.3× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    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.

  • Pedalup to 6.6× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2009, 2008.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Individual direction indicatorsup to 2.7× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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