Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4: 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 1.6 percentage points more often than the Toyota RAV4 once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 33,917 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
Toyota RAV4	82.6%	77.7%	+4.9	13,901

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

Toyota RAV4

XA50, 2019–2024 (Hybrid) · mid-size hybrid family SUV

The XA50 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2019–2024) is among the most reliable SUVs sold in the UK, with fewer fault reports than any German rival in the same class. The main issues are EGR soot accumulation on petrol-only (non-hybrid) variants, occasional false radar warnings from the pre-collision system, and rear-seat ventilation noise on pre-2021 examples. Hybrids require no plug-in charging and are ideal for UK commuting. Best-buy years: 2021–2023. Worst: 2019 (software gremlins, recalled).

What goes wrong

Pre-collision system false alerts / phantom brakingmoderate
Sudden brief braking on open motorway or dual carriageway with no obstacle; "Pre-Collision Alert" warning appearing on clear roads; forward collision warning sounding without cause
2019–2020 (pre-software update) · Free under Toyota software update — dealer apply at next service
Check: Ask the dealer for confirmation that Toyota software update reference SB-0164B (or equivalent UK market version) has been applied. A quick 15-minute motorway stint during the test drive is the most direct check.
EGR soot and carbon buildup (2.5 petrol non-hybrid)moderate
Rough idle when cold; hesitation at low throttle; occasional check-engine light
2019–2024 (affects petrol-only variants more than hybrid — hybrids cycle the EGR differently) · Above 50,000 miles without regular servicing · £350–£600 EGR clean at a Toyota specialist; £800–£1,400 if EGR valve requires replacement
Check: Run the engine from cold — it should idle smoothly within 60 seconds. Hesitation or stumbling on cold mornings suggests EGR buildup. Service history should show 6,200 miles oil-change discipline. Avoid RAV4s with gaps in the Toyota stamp.
HVAC condensate accumulation (recall)minor
Water pooling in cabin; damp carpets in footwells unrelated to doors/windows; occasional musty smell after rain
2019 (recall issued) · Free under recall — Toyota UK dealer. Recall reference: EU recall ref 2019/433
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at any Toyota UK dealer or the gov.uk recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall). If not completed, insist the dealer does it before sale.
Hybrid battery — very long-term degradationminor
Slightly reduced mpg; less frequent EV-mode trips; battery gauge dropping faster in cold weather
All hybrids; typically year 8–10+ in UK conditions · 125,000+ miles (UK used-car context: rarely seen this high yet) · £3,000–£6,500 for battery replacement; Toyota 10-year warranty on hybrid battery still covers most UK used examples (verify original purchase date)
Check: Check the Toyota hybrid battery warranty status — Toyota UK covers the HV battery for 10 years / 150,000 miles from first registration, whichever comes first. All RAV4 Hybrids first registered post-2019 should still be under warranty until at least 2029. Verify by VIN.

Typical asking price:: £15,000–£40,000 (2019–2024; PHEV variants at the top end)
Real-world economy:: 49–57 mpg real-world for Hybrid — best in class for a non-plug-in mid-size SUV in UK mixed driving
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:: 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2019

Full RAV4 fault guide Used Toyotas

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).

Toyota RAV4

Good for: Families wanting a reliable, low-running-cost SUV. Commuters doing mixed town/motorway miles who want the hybrid fuel savings without the hassle of plug-in charging. Buyers who prioritise long-term reliability over prestige badge.

Less good for: Buyers wanting a sporty drive — the RAV4 Hybrid prioritises economy over driver engagement. Off-road purists (the RAV4 has on-demand AWD via a rear electric motor, not a locking diff). Anyone wanting a third-row seat — the RAV4 is strictly 5-seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4?

The Honda CR-V. It passes its first MOT 1.6 percentage points more often than the Toyota RAV4 once both are age-adjusted, across 33,917 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 Toyota RAV4?

82.6% of Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT first time, from 13,901 tests. Against the 77.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 4.9 points better.

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 Toyota RAV4, The 2019 launch year saw a Toyota recall (recall ref: 19V-752 in EU) for an HVAC condensate water accumulation issue that could trigger false airbag deployment warnings. Software for the pre-collision system was also immature — multiple UK owners reported phantom braking events on motorways. Both issues were corrected by 2021, but 2019 examples should have evidence of both recall completions.

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 Toyota RAV4 returns 49–57 mpg real-world for Hybrid — best in class for a non-plug-in mid-size SUV in UK mixed driving. 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).; RAV4 — £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.