Honda CR-V Mk5: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How each year of the Honda CR-V Mk5 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 85,859 MOT tests.
Which Honda CR-V Mk5 years are best and worst at their MOT?
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Honda CR-V Mk5, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
What usually goes wrong with the Honda CR-V Mk5?
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
Fuel pump module (built to March 2019)
Cars built up to 5 March 2019 need a new fuel pump module.
Check: Ask a Honda dealer to confirm it has been replaced.
Driver's airbag inflator
Moisture can get into the driver's airbag propellant, so it could deploy slowly or the inflator could rupture.
Check: Ask a Honda dealer whether the airbag recall applies and was done.
Hybrid warnings and power loss
Hybrid owners report unexpected warning lights and occasional loss of power, and long waits for parts.
Check: Drive it and watch for warnings.
Infotainment freezing
Screens can freeze and Bluetooth drop out. Software updates often fix it.
Check: Use the screen and connect your phone.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
Looking at a Honda CR-V?
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