2013 Honda CR-V: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Honda CR-V?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Honda CR-V than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Brake lights1.9× usual
  Honda CR-V

  6.8% All 2013 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 2.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
  Honda CR-V

  5.4% All 2013 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2× usual
  Honda CR-V

  4.4% All 2013 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.8% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Honda CR-V MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Suspension
  25% 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
  20% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  18% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  2% 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.

Known faults on the 2013 Honda CR-V

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Takata airbag recalls

  All engines

  Most CR-V recalls covered faulty Takata airbags.

  At the viewing: Ask a Honda dealer to check the VIN for outstanding airbag work.

  Source: Auto Express: used Honda CR-V Mk4 problems and recalls

• Fuel pump recall

  All engines

  Honda replaced faulty fuel pumps under a 2020 recall.

  At the viewing: Ask a Honda dealer to confirm it's done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Honda CR-V Mk4 problems and recalls

• Rough diesel start-up

  Diesel

  The diesels can be rough when starting. An engine software update can help.

  At the viewing: Start from cold and listen to the idle.

  Source: Auto Express: used Honda CR-V Mk4 problems and recalls

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Honda CR-V

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the airbag recall been done?
2. Has the fuel pump recall been done?
3. Has the engine software update been done?
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 Honda CR-V as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2013 Honda CR-V as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2013 Honda CR-V as on other cars the same age.)