Honda CR-V vs Volkswagen Tiguan: 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 4.4 percentage points more often than the Volkswagen Tiguan once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 46,444 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
Volkswagen Tiguan	83.7%	81.6%	+2.1	26,428

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Mk2, 2016–2023 (Allspace 2017+) · compact-to-mid family SUV (5 or 7 seat)

The Mk2 VW Tiguan (2016–2023) is the UK's best-selling premium SUV, but the DSG DQ200 dry-clutch gearbox on 1.4 TSI variants is the headline risk up to 75,000 miles, and EA288 diesel EGR recall must be verified. Post-2020 Allspace with DQ381 wet-clutch DSG is substantially more durable. Best-buy: 2020+ Allspace TDI. Worst: 2016–2018 1.4 TSI DSG.

What goes wrong

DSG DQ200 mechatronic failure (1.4 TSI)major
Hesitation pulling away; juddering in low gears; jerky 1-2 shift; "gearbox" warning
2016–2018 1.4 TSI with DQ200 · 70,000–85,000 miles · £1,500–£2,500 mechatronic; full DSG rebuild from £3,200
Check: Confirm gearbox type via VIN check before viewing: the wet-clutch DQ381 takes an oil-and-filter service every 40,000 miles, while VW schedules none for the dry-clutch DQ200. Uphill pull from standstill — any judder = warning. Diagnostic scan for P-codes in transmission module.
EGR cooler recall (EA288 2.0 TDI)major
Coolant loss; coolant system pressure drop; rare EGR cooler failure (fire risk recall)
2016–2018 2.0 TDI · Free under recall; £900–£1,400 if not yet completed and fault develops
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at Volkswagen UK or the gov.uk recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall). Recall reference 23R6 / 23Y7. No recall history = ask dealer to complete before sale.
DPF blockage (2.0 TDI short-trip)major
Limp mode; "DPF full" warning; loss of power; failed regen cycle
All TDI Tiguans · Usage-pattern-driven, not mileage-driven · £350–£700 forced regen; £1,500–£2,800 DPF replacement
Check: Ask seller for typical journey length. Tiguans used exclusively for school-run trips are high risk. OBD scan: check DPF soot load percentage.
AdBlue NOx sensor failure (Euro 6 TDI)moderate
"AdBlue" system warning; countdown to no-start; reduced power
All Euro 6 TDI (2016+) · 50,000–75,000 miles · £350–£600 sensor; £100–£150 AdBlue refill
Check: Diagnostic scan for P20EE or P229F codes. AdBlue tank should be at least 25% full at viewing — a nearly empty tank tells you the seller wasn't maintaining it.

Typical asking price:: £11,000–£35,000 (2016–2023)
Real-world economy:: 2.0 TDI 150: 40–47 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI petrol: 31–38 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:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2016, 2017, 2018

Full Tiguan fault guide Used Volkswagens

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).

Volkswagen Tiguan

Good for: UK families wanting a genuine 5-seat (or 7-seat Allspace) premium SUV with strong resale value. The 2020+ 2.0 TDI with DQ381 is the best rounded buy — low road tax, solid economy, durable gearbox.

Less good for: Buyers tempted by a pre-2019 1.4 TSI with DQ200 and high mileage without DSG service history — the repair risk is high. Short-trip city drivers considering the diesel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Honda CR-V or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Honda CR-V. It passes its first MOT 4.4 percentage points more often than the Volkswagen Tiguan once both are age-adjusted, across 46,444 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?

83.7% of Volkswagen Tiguans pass their MOT first time, from 26,428 tests. Against the 81.6% that cars of its age average, it runs 2.1 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 Volkswagen Tiguan, Early Mk2 with the 1.4 TSI and DQ200 dry-clutch DSG followed the same failure pattern as the Passat B8: mechatronic failure around 70,000–85,000 miles at £1,500–£2,500. Several UK dealers refuse pre-2019 DQ200 Tiguans in part-exchange.

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 Volkswagen Tiguan returns 2.0 TDI 150: 40–47 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI petrol: 31–38 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).; Tiguan — £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.