Used car guide

2005 Honda HR-V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Honda HR-Vs, from 129 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 129 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

129MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,700typical miles a year
51%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2005 Honda HR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% 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
    17% 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%
2004195Suspension 47%
2003165Lights and electrics 47%
2002347Suspension 49%
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 2005 Honda HR-Vs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score