Used car guide

2002 Honda HR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Honda HR-Vs, from 347 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 347 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

347MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,500typical miles a year
5.3×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Honda HR-Vs than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints5.3× usual
    Honda HR-V
    15.9% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1% of all 2002 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.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Honda HR-V
    22.8% All 2002 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Track rod ends2.6× usual
    Honda HR-V
    15.3% All 2002 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.3% of all 2002 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.

By area

The share of 2002 Honda HR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    16% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Honda HR-V?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023366Tyres 15%
20226,322Tyres 21%
2021442Tyres 24%
20203,705Tyres 23%
20194,855Tyres 24%
20186,076Tyres 25%
20175,834Tyres 25%
20166,849Tyres 27%
20152,770Tyres 27%
2005129Suspension 51%
2004195Suspension 47%
2003165Lights and electrics 47%
2001299Suspension 49%
2000237Suspension 44%
1999125Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Honda HR-Vs registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score