Used car guide

2010 Honda CR-Z: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Honda CR-Zs, from 1,259 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,259MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Honda CR-Zs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Braking performance1.9× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    11.1% All 2010 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    10.4% All 2010 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 2.7% of all 2010 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    4.5% All 2010 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.6% here, against 11% of all 2010 cars. Sub-frame: 1.7% here, against 7% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Honda CR-Z MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Honda CR-Z?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012616Brakes 34%
20111,422Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Honda CR-Zs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score