Used car guide

2012 Honda CR-Z: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Honda CR-Zs, from 616 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

616MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Honda CR-Zs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Braking performance2.7× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    13.1% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 1.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
    Honda CR-Z
    9.7% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.4% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Honda CR-Z MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Suspension
    31% 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.

  • Tyres
    26% 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
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% 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.

Looking at a Honda CR-Z?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,422Suspension 38%
20101,259Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Honda CR-Zs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score