2015 Honda CR-V: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Honda CR-V?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Honda CR-V than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Pedal8× usual
  Honda CR-V

  2.4% All 2015 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Brake lights2.1× usual
  Honda CR-V

  4.1% All 2015 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 1.6% of all 2015 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.

• Track rod ends1.7× usual
  Honda CR-V

  4.9% All 2015 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 1.4% of all 2015 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.

• Ball joint dust cover1.9× usual
  Honda CR-V

  2.7% All 2015 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.5% of all 2015 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 joints2.1× usual
  Honda CR-V

  2.3% All 2015 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2015 Honda CR-V MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Honda CR-V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Brakes
  18% 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
  12% 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
  11% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2015 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 2015 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 pedal? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the 2015 Honda CR-V as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2015 Honda CR-V as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2015 Honda CR-V as on other cars the same age.)