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Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) (2018-2022) reliability

At a glance

Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW)
excellent reliability2018-2022SUVPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 35,321 tests of CR-V models registered 2018-2022.

About 1 in 75 CR-V Mk5 (RW) MOTs (1.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 6,823 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 30 CR-V Mk5 (RW) MOTs (3.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 6,823 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk5 (RW) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,1447.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,3677.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
6,9887.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
8,9998.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6,82311.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 7 years old.

How the CR-V Mk5 (RW) compares

At each age below, see how the CR-V Mk5 (RW) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 55,758 tests across 6 Honda models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,1447.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,3677.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
6,9887.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
8,9998.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6,82311.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the CR-V Mk5 (RW).

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 0.9%, against 1.5% for the Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW).

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.0%, against 1.5% for the Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW).

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 11.2% for the Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

42 recalls in all

4 of the 42 CR-V Mk5 (RW) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Battery cable contact short circuit problem
  • Vehicles may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellars
  • The regulatory requirement for emissions levels are not met

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on CR-V Mk5 (RW) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 305 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
2%
Suspension
2%

Wear items

Tyres
12%
Brakes
8%
Lighting
7%
How CR-V Mk5 (RW) cars have aged

How CR-V Mk5 (RW) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%34567Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.5% (3,885 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (3,754 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 6.2% (3,692 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.5% (3,509 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 7.1% (3,384 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 5.4% (6,008 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.1% (5,622 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (5,449 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (5,408 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (7,294 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (7,125 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (7,008 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (6,865 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (6,823 tests, 2025 data)2018
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
Mk5 (RW) variants compared

CR-V Mk5 (RW) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each CR-V Mk5 (RW) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • CR-V10.2%3,680 tests

Diesel

  • CR-V12.3%3,142 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Honda CR-V models of this age

This list covers every Honda CR-V built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk5 (RW) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.4%
    Advisory: 2,999Fail: 235 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.5%
    Advisory: 1,430Fail: 200 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.4%
    Advisory: 1,331Fail: 90 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Major

    Brake light not working

    4.8%
    Advisory: 502Fail: 69 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    3.5%
    Advisory: 605Fail: 14 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 11,822 tests

Looking at a Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Honda CR-V Mk5 (RW) (2018-2022) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 6,823 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 35,321 MOT tests on Honda CR-V models first registered between 2018-2022. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.