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

On DVSA MOT records the Honda CR-V does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 7.8 percentage points ahead of the Kia Sportage on first-time MOT passes. That comparison covers 52,040 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

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.

Honda CR-V

Pass rate80.7%

Age-matched national74.1%

Difference+6.5

Tests20,016

Kia Sportage

Pass rate80.5%

Age-matched national81.7%

Difference-1.3

Tests32,024

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

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Honda CR-Vs registered 2002–2022 and Kia Sportages registered 2010–2022.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

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 owner-reported issue is oil dilution with fuel on the early 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol, mostly on short cold trips. We found no UK recall or Honda campaign for it in DVSA's recall file, so ask whether any Honda software update or oil-dilution repair was done. The hybrid (e:HEV) is exceptionally low-maintenance. Best-buy years: 2020–2023. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.

What goes wrong

Safety recall R/2020/061recall
The absorption of moisture into the driver's air bag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture
42,435 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers)
Large recall — 42,435 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
Safety recall R/2023/357recall
Battery Cable Contact Short Circuit Problem
18,733 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 22 October 2018 and 1 July 2022
Large recall — 18,733 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
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) · Warranty cover varies by car, so ask a Honda dealer about the exact one; post-warranty oil damage: £800–£2,500 depending on severity
Check: Dipstick at viewing — oil level should not be above max. Ask the seller whether any Honda software update or oil-dilution repair was carried out, and for the paperwork. Service history should show Honda-stamp servicing with evidence of oil changes at correct intervals. Be wary of cars that sat in short-trip urban use.
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.

Typical asking price:: not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
Fuel 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 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Used Honda CR-Vs for sale Full CR-V fault guide Used Hondas

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Kia Sportage

NQ5, 2022+ · compact crossover SUV

The NQ5 Kia Sportage (UK deliveries from 2022) 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 2022 PHEV.

What goes wrong

1.6 T-GDI oil consumption (shared with Hyundai)moderate
Oil drop between services
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
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:: not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
Fuel 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 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:: 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2022 (PHEV)

Used Kia Sportages for sale Full Sportage fault guide Used Kias

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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 with no oil-change history; short-trip-only drivers on the 1.5T petrol; hybrid buyers needing 7 seats (seven seats were offered only on the 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol; the hybrid is five-seat).

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?

On the MOT measure, the Honda CR-V: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 7.8 percentage points ahead of the Kia Sportage on first-time MOT passes, across 52,040 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.

How do the MOT pass rates of the Honda CR-V and the Kia Sportage compare?

80.7% of Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT first time (20,016 tests in DVSA's records) and 80.5% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT first time (32,024 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the Honda CR-V's age average 74.1% and cars of the Kia Sportage's age 81.7% — so the Honda CR-V runs 6.5 points better than its age group and the Kia Sportage runs 1.3 points worse than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.

Which years of the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage should I avoid?

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. We found no UK recall or Honda campaign for it, so a car's oil history matters more than its year: the problem can go undetected for months. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2018 and 2019 registrations above all cars registered those years, so they are not named as years to avoid. Judge a CR-V by its registration, service history and the checks below rather than by year. Kia Sportage: The plug-in hybrid reached the UK at the end of March 2022, and the first-year cars are the ones owners most often report battery thermal management issues on. How often it happens is not known.

Is the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage cheaper to run?

On fuel the two are too close to call: the most economical versions return up to 49 mpg (Honda CR-V) and 50 mpg (Kia Sportage), on the figures in our model guides. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, 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: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.