Family hatchback · 2008–2021 cars
Honda CR-Z reliability
The Honda CR-Z fails 22% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 12,671 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Honda CR-Z before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 22%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 12,671
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Honda CR-Z ages
Each point is the share of Honda CR-Zs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Honda CR-Z | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 14.3% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 15% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 21.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 23% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 24% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 21.3% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 27.1% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Honda CR-Z years
2010 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 547 | 15.2% | 37% fewer fails | 52,929 |
| 2013 CR-Z | 1,023 | 18.5% | 35% fewer fails | 64,318 |
| 2012 CR-Z | 2,132 | 20.6% | 35% fewer fails | 73,059 |
| 2011 CR-Z | 4,625 | 23.4% | 35% fewer fails | 85,122 |
| 2010 CR-Z | 4,245 | 23.2% | 39% fewer fails | 91,255 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Honda CR-Z
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes8.1%2% above avg
- Suspension6.3%51% below avg
- Tyres5.1%26% below avg
- Lights and electrics4.9%67% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%37% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2%53% below avg
- Steering1%59% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.6%84% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%8% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.07% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.97% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.89% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.78% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 5
Service brake excessively binding 1.63% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.36% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.03% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 0.84% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Honda CR-Z's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.57%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.3%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.55%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.2%
- Service brake slightly binding4.02%
- Shock absorber light oil misting2.64%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Honda CR-Z
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Honda CR-Z covers about 7,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Hybrid37.9%
- Petrol30.8%
- Other16%
- Electric15.1%
- Diesel0.2%
Most common colours
White, Black, Silver, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Honda CR-Z compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-Z | 22% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Scala | 11.5% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Primera | 44.3% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 306 | 43.7% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia ProCeed | 28.3% | 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Matrix | 46.8% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS4 | 29.4% | 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Honda models.
Questions
Honda CR-Z questions, answered
Is the Honda CR-Z reliable?
On MOT results, the Honda CR-Z is better than average: it fails 22% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Honda CR-Z MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Honda CR-Z are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.07% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.97% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (1.89% of tests). By area, brakes fails 8.1% of its tests.
Which Honda CR-Z year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Honda CR-Z do a year?
A typical Honda CR-Z covers about 7,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Honda CR-Z before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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