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Honda HR-V reliability by build year

Coverage 2015-present3 named generationsSUVPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Honda HR-V built around 2018: fails its MOT less often than average

Honda HR-V models built around 2018 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Honda HR-V by number plate

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Honda HR-V 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 HR-V models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Honda HR-V's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your HR-V's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

HR-V Mk3

Mk3 (2021-present)

Not enough tests to rate
HYBRID ELECTRIC

5.0% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 2.8% and 8.7%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 222 MOT tests at this ageView details →
HR-V Mk2 (RU)

Mk2 (RU) (2015-2020)

Excellent
PETROLDIESEL

10.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 6,689 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

32.6% fail rate, built around 2002 (23 years old)

Likely between 28.5% and 37.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.1%)

From 457 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Honda HR-V.

See every build year for the Honda HR-V

Side-by-side

Honda HR-V generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (2021-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate5.0%likely between 2.8% and 8.7%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 222 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (RU) (2015-2020)
Excellent
Excellent10.3%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 6,689 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating32.6%likely between 28.5% and 37.0%built around 2002 (23 years old)from 457 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the HR-V, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Honda HR-V fail rate by age

This chart combines every Honda HR-V ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
4,4934.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,0177.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,1668.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5,8469.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
6,68910.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,37313.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
6,78915.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,41914.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
8530.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
21432.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
23231.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
30130.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
45732.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
37432.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
32629.1%

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 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Honda HR-V stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Honda models

2nd of 4

2nd lowest fail rate of 4 Honda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other SUVs

6th of 89

6th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against the UK average

10.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Honda HR-V models

These issues come from 7-year-old Honda HR-V models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

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

    14.9%
    Advisory: 1,497Fail: 110 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.0%
    Advisory: 952Fail: 139 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.4%
    Advisory: 990Fail: 44 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    4.9%
    Advisory: 466Fail: 49 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    3.8%
    Advisory: 277Fail: 28 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 6,689 MOT tests on 7-year-old Honda HR-V models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Honda HR-V models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres35%
  2. Suspension + Tyres21%
  3. Other + Tyres17%
  4. Brakes + Suspension14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,256 MOT tests on Honda HR-V cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

97%of this model's cars first registered in 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · More than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

4 recalls in all

All 4 Honda HR-V recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • Vehicles may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellars
  • Due to incorrect manufacturing the rear seat belt assembly webbing sensor could become inoperative
  • The regulatory requirement for emissions levels are not met

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Honda HR-V 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%

    No clear edge over the Honda HR-V on these figures.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.4%, against 3.8% for the Honda HR-V.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,936 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 10.3% for the Honda HR-V, 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Honda HR-V across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 4 Honda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 6,689 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Honda HR-V ever sold: 40,781 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 6,689 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.