Honda CR-Z common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Honda CR-Z, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 11,244 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2015 Honda CR-Z
Too few Honda CR-Z cars first registered in 2015 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Honda CR-Z as a whole.
What to check on a 2015 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Honda CR-Z?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Honda CR-Z in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Honda CR-Z MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Rust around suspension or steering mountings
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Braking performance
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Ball joint dust cover
up to 3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Chassis rust or damage
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Hybrid
Ball joint dust cover
up to 4.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings
up to 3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Braking performance
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2012.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Track rod ends
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Electric
Ball joint dust cover
up to 3.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Braking performance
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Track rod ends
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2010.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Honda CR-Z MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Honda CR-Z did best (74% passed first time, 14 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2013 did worst (79%, 12 points above all 2013 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Honda CR-Z
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Honda CR-Z as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the Honda CR-Z as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Honda CR-Z as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Honda CR-Z?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score