Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Honda CR-V is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 7.8 percentage points more often than the Kia Sportage once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 52,040 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Honda CR-V	80.7%	74.1%	+6.5	20,016
Kia Sportage	80.5%	81.7%	-1.3	32,024

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Honda CR-V

Mk5, 2018–2023 (Hybrid) · mid-size family SUV

The Mk5 Honda CR-V (2018–2023) is among the most reliable mid-size SUVs in the UK. The dominant issue is oil dilution with fuel on early petrol-hybrid 1.5 VTEC Turbo — Honda issued a software fix in 2019. Post-2019 examples are largely problem-free. The hybrid (e:HEV) is exceptionally low-maintenance. Best-buy years: 2020–2023. Worst: 2018–early 2019 1.5T.

What goes wrong

1.5 VTEC Turbo fuel-in-oil dilutionmajor
Engine oil level rising above max on dipstick; oil smells of petrol; reduced oil viscosity
2018–early 2019 (1.5T petrol) · ECU update was free under Honda warranty; post-warranty oil damage: £800–£2,500 depending on severity
Check: Dipstick at viewing — oil level should not be above max. Ask seller for proof that Honda ECU update was applied. Service history should show Honda-stamp servicing with evidence of oil changes at correct intervals. Avoid cars that sat in short-trip urban use without the ECU fix.
e:HEV inverter (hybrid models)moderate
"System Error" or "IMA" warning; reduced power; rare fail-to-start
2018–2021 hybrid · Under warranty typically (Honda 5-yr hybrid warranty); out of warranty £1,800–£3,200
Check: Scan for hybrid system codes. EV-mode should engage cleanly at low speeds — if it never enters EV mode, inverter or battery may have faulted.
Infotainment — Honda Connect touchscreen freezesminor
Screen unresponsive; Apple CarPlay drops; reboot via long-press needed
2018–2021 · Free software update at Honda dealer
Check: Connect phone via Apple CarPlay and use for 15 minutes during test drive. Pre-2022 software update caused frequent drops.
Rear differential (AWD, pre-2021)moderate
Shudder under tight low-speed turns; AWD light warning
2018–2020 AWD variants · £350–£600 rear-diff fluid change + calibration; £1,200+ if actuator faulty
Check: Tight low-speed figure-of-eight during test drive — any shudder or groan means the rear diff fluid has never been changed. Service history must show diff fluid at 30,000 miles intervals.

Typical asking price:: £9,000–£26,000 (2018–2023; hybrid AWD variants at the top end)
Real-world economy:: 1.5T petrol: 31–38 mpg real-world. e:HEV hybrid: 42–49 mpg — significantly better on UK city/suburban use
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2018, early 2019

Full CR-V fault guide Used Hondas

Kia Sportage

NQ5, 2021+ · compact crossover SUV

The NQ5 Kia Sportage (2021+) shares the Hyundai Tucson's platform and engines, so faults are similar: 1.6 T-GDI oil consumption claims (largely resolved), PHEV battery cooling pump, and minor TPMS quirks. Kia's 7-year warranty covers most of the risk. Best-buy: 2023+. Worst: early 2021 PHEV.

What goes wrong

1.6 T-GDI oil consumption (shared with Hyundai)moderate
Oil drop between services
2021–2022 · Usually goodwill within 7-yr warranty; out of warranty engine rebuild £3,500+
Check: Dipstick at viewing; service history.
PHEV battery cooling pumpmajor
"Hybrid system" warning; reduced EV range
2021–2022 PHEV · Under warranty; £1,200+ otherwise
Check: PHEV battery health check (£30–£50 at Kia dealer).
TPMS sensor faultsminor
"Tyre pressure" warning despite correct pressures
All NQ5 · £80–£140 per sensor
Check: Visual check on dash — no warnings.
Front suspension bushingsminor
Knocking on rough roads
All NQ5 · 50,000+ miles · £250–£400
Check: Rough-road test drive.

Typical asking price:: £17,000–£38,000 (2021–2024)
Real-world economy:: 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 mpg
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2021 (PHEV)

Full Sportage fault guide Used Kias

Which one suits you

Honda CR-V

Good for: Families wanting reliable Japanese quality in an SUV package. e:HEV hybrid is the pick for urban and suburban commuting — no plug needed, excellent real-world economy. Buyers with good service history documentation.

Less good for: Buyers tempted by early 1.5T examples without ECU-fix evidence; short-trip-only drivers on the 1.5T petrol; buyers needing 7 seats (CR-V is 5-seat only in UK spec).

Kia Sportage

Good for: Family buyers wanting Kia's 7-year warranty for peace of mind.

Less good for: Buyers needing premium badge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?

The Honda CR-V. It passes its first MOT 7.8 percentage points more often than the Kia Sportage once both are age-adjusted, across 52,040 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda CR-V?

80.7% of Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT first time, from 20,016 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 74.1% — so it runs 6.5 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sportage?

80.5% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT first time, from 32,024 tests. Against the 81.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 1.3 points worse.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Honda CR-V, Early 2018–2019 1.5 VTEC Turbo engines reported fuel mixing into the engine oil in cold-weather short-trip driving patterns — exactly how many UK commuters use their cars. Oil level would rise above max and engine longevity was compromised in severe cases. Honda addressed it via ECU update, but pre-fix cars in the UK sometimes had the problem go undetected for months. For the Kia Sportage, Initial-year PHEV had highest rate of battery thermal management issues.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Honda CR-V returns 1.5T petrol: 31–38 mpg real-world. e:HEV hybrid: 42–49 mpg — significantly better on UK city/suburban use in real UK driving; the Kia Sportage returns 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 mpg. Vehicle tax: CR-V — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Sportage — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.