Small SUV · 1997–2021 cars

Honda HR-V reliability

The Honda HR-V fails 13.1% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 105,277 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 75/100#6 of 40 small suvs

Checking a Honda HR-V before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 13.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 28% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 105,277; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,200; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Honda HR-V ages

Each point is the share of Honda HR-Vs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Honda HR-VAll cars

Honda HR-V first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Honda HR-V	All cars
3	6.9%	12.3%
4	8.5%	14.1%
5	10.3%	16.4%
6	12.1%	19.1%
7	13.8%	22.1%
8	15.2%	25.5%
9	19.5%	28.8%
17	38.3%	43.4%
18	44.3%	43.5%
19	43.1%	43.4%
20	42.5%	42.8%
21	40.7%	41.4%
22	40.5%	40.6%
23	46.9%	38.9%
24	36%	37.1%

By year

The best and worst Honda HR-V years

2019 cars come out best and 2000 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Honda HR-V MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2020 HR-V	7,693	6.8%	38% fewer fails	22,681
2019 HR-V	13,940	6.7%	44% fewer fails	24,881
2018 HR-V	21,527	9.4%	32% fewer fails	30,395
2017 HR-V	20,521	11.6%	30% fewer fails	39,028
2016 HR-V	23,784	13%	33% fewer fails	47,017
2015 HR-V	9,587	14.5%	35% fewer fails	55,489
2005	665	42.3%	2% fewer fails	96,597
2004	971	43.5%	2% more fails	99,817
2003	891	42.5%	0% fewer fails	97,944
2002 HR-V	1,660	39.8%	6% fewer fails	102,507
2001 HR-V	1,581	42.7%	2% more fails	105,972
2000 HR-V	1,307	44.1%	9% more fails	104,600
1999	903	37.8%	2% fewer fails	104,971

Common problems

What fails most on a Honda HR-V

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.6%0% below avg
Tyres3.6%29% below avg
Lights and electrics3.1%42% below avg
Brakes2.8%24% below avg
Suspension2.4%35% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%38% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.7%50% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%14% below avg
Steering0.3%58% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.95% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.48% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.03% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.82% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.73% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
6
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 0.5% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
7
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.47% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.45% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Honda HR-V's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit10.18%
Brake pads wearing thin7.43%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.78%
Shock absorber light oil misting2.48%
Child seat limits belt inspection2.32%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.03%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Honda HR-V

1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
2
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.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
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 HR-V covers about 7,200 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

Petrol72.1%
Diesel27.8%
Hybrid0.1%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Blue, Black, White, Silver, Grey

Average engine size: 1.5 litres.

Compare

How the Honda HR-V compares with its rivals

Honda HR-V against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Honda HR-V	13.1%	28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar E-Pace	11.3%	21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Niro	13%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi ASX	22.1%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Arona	14.2%	9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Crossland	14.3%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Fiat 500X	21.4%	14% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Honda models.

Questions

Honda HR-V questions, answered

Is the Honda HR-V reliable?

On MOT results, the Honda HR-V is better than average: it fails 13.1% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 40 small suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Honda HR-V MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Honda HR-V are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.95% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.48% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.03% of tests). By area, windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails 3.6% of its tests.

Which Honda HR-V year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2000 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Honda HR-V do a year?

A typical Honda HR-V covers about 7,200 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 HR-V 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.

Found a Honda HR-V? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.