Honda CR-V Common Faults in the UK
Mk5, 2018–2023 (Hybrid) — mid-size family SUV. Updated 6 October 2026.
This guide covers the Mk5, 2018–2023 (Hybrid) only. Older CR-V generations have different engines and faults — for one of those, see how to check any car for known faults.
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.
Largest DVSA recall for the CR-V: R/2020/061, 42,435 vehicles in the whole recall — The absorption of moisture into the driver's air bag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture. See the 2 DVSA recalls listed for this model.
94.6% of Honda CR-Vs registered 2018–2022 pass the MOT on the day (cars fixed during the test included), 6.8 points above all cars registered in those years (87.8%). These are the cars this guide covers that were 3 to 12 years old when DVSA tested them in 2025, counted from 3,567 DVSA tests; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Counting every registration year DVSA holds for the Honda CR-V (2002–2022), which includes generations this guide does not cover, 80.7% pass on the day (cars fixed during the test included), from 20,016 tests.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months). 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 pass here (passed on the day); 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. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓No asking-price figure is shown: we give the median and middle 80% of asking prices only when at least 10 cars on Autoza qualify — here, Honda CR-V cars registered 2018–2023. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The other quick-stats values are indicative editorial estimates aggregated from owner-forum sentiment, recall data and reliability surveys. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
Owner reports of fuel-in-oil dilution concentrate on 2018–early 2019 cars (we found no UK Honda fix or DVSA recall, so still ask the seller what was done), and later cars have a more mature e:HEV hybrid calibration and improved infotainment. The 2020 refresh added Honda Sensing standard across all trims — the most comprehensive ADAS bundle in the segment.
2023 cars are too new for the DVSA table below, so there is no MOT record behind that year yet.
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.
Known faults — Honda CR-V Mk5, 2018–2023 (Hybrid)
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: patterns that come up repeatedly with workshops, owner forums and reliability surveys. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
Hybrid battery cable (safety recall)
- Symptoms
- DVSA recall wording: in certain collisions the battery cable may be pinched and damaged, causing a short circuit, so the cable can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire
- Years affected
- CR-V Hybrid built 22 October 2018 to 1 July 2022. DVSA lists it in two rows: 8,320 cars built to 26 May 2020 and 10,413 e:HEV cars built from 1 June 2020
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under the recall at a Honda dealer
- What to check before buying
- Check the registration on GOV.UK’s recall check and ask for the Honda dealer record showing R/2023/357 was done.
1.5 VTEC Turbo fuel-in-oil dilution
- Symptoms
- Engine oil level rising above max on dipstick; oil smells of petrol; reduced oil viscosity
- Years affected
- 2018–early 2019 (1.5T petrol)
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Warranty cover varies by car, so ask a Honda dealer about the exact one; post-warranty oil damage: £800–£2,500 depending on severity
- What to check before buying
- 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)
- Symptoms
- "System Error" or "IMA" warning; reduced power; rare fail-to-start
- Years affected
- 2018–2021 hybrid
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Under warranty typically (Honda 5-yr hybrid warranty); out of warranty £1,800–£3,200
- What to check before buying
- 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 freezes
- Symptoms
- Screen unresponsive; Apple CarPlay drops; reboot via long-press needed
- Years affected
- 2018–2021
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free software update at Honda dealer
- What to check before buying
- 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)
- Symptoms
- Shudder under tight low-speed turns; AWD light warning
- Years affected
- 2018–2020 AWD variants
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £350–£600 rear-diff fluid change + calibration; £1,200+ if actuator faulty
- What to check before buying
- 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.
Air conditioning compressor (early build 1.5T)
- Symptoms
- AC blows warm; clicking from compressor area
- Years affected
- 2018–2019
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £700–£1,100 compressor + regas
- What to check before buying
- Test AC during inspection on a warm day — should be cold within 90 seconds.
Front suspension — lower control-arm bushings
- Symptoms
- Knocking over UK road imperfections; vague steering feel
- Years affected
- All Mk5 — 60,000+ miles, accelerated by UK potholed roads
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £280–£450 both sides
- What to check before buying
- Drive over a rough road section — listen for clunks. Check inner-edge tyre wear.
CVT hesitation (1.5T non-hybrid)
- Symptoms
- Rubber-band effect under hard acceleration; judder pulling away
- Years affected
- All 1.5T CVT variants — 60,000+ miles without CVT fluid change
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £250–£380 CVT fluid change; £2,500+ CVT replacement if damaged
- What to check before buying
- Service history must show CVT fluid change at 50,000–60,000 miles. Test drive with hard accelerations from standstill.
More DVSA safety recalls for the Honda CR-V, largest first
These are the recalls DVSA lists for this model and its build years that the cards above do not already describe: every one of 10,000 or more vehicles, largest first, with DVSA’s own reference and figures. A recall covers only cars built in its dates and within its VIN range — check a particular car by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. “Critical” here means DVSA’s own notice tells owners not to drive the car until it is fixed. It is never a size: “Large” means DVSA lists 10,000 or more vehicles in the recall.
- Safety recall · R/2020/061Large recall — 42,435 vehicles
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) · recall launched 23 October 2020
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls file (every recall since 1992), published under the Open Government Licence. Where DVSA gives one figure for a recall that covers several models, it is shown as the whole recall’s total.
Honda CR-V MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the CR-V was higher in every one of the 10 registration years from 2013 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap above is 2013 registrations: 84.7% against 71.9%.
Pass rate here: passed on the day, cars fixed during the test included. Rows: every Honda CR-V DVSA tested in 2025, by registration year (2013–2022), all engines and fuels together. 2013–2017 registrations are older generations of the CR-V than this guide covers, shown for comparison; the guide’s own cars start in 2018. A registration year cannot separate two generations exactly when one replaced the other part-way through a year.
| Registered | CR-V | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022574 tests | 97.2% | 91.2% | +6.0 higher |
| 2021636 tests | 95.0% | 90.1% | +4.9 higher |
| 2020581 tests | 96.2% | 88.7% | +7.5 higher |
| 2019819 tests | 93.7% | 86.9% | +6.8 higher |
| 2018957 tests | 92.5% | 84.5% | +8.0 higher |
| 20171,291 tests | 90.6% | 82.2% | +8.4 higher |
| 20161,509 tests | 89.7% | 79.4% | +10.3 higher |
| 20151,481 tests | 86.2% | 76.7% | +9.5 higher |
| 20141,518 tests | 86.0% | 74.3% | +11.7 higher |
| 20131,408 tests | 84.7% | 71.9% | +12.8 higher |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the CR-V was higher in every one of the 5 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (5 bands)
| Mileage | CR-V | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40k–60k2,702 tests | 91.4% | 82.1% | +9.3 higher |
| 60k–80k3,331 tests | 87.6% | 75.5% | +12.2 higher |
| 80k–100k3,234 tests | 82.0% | 70.3% | +11.7 higher |
| 100k–120k2,627 tests | 74.6% | 66.3% | +8.3 higher |
| 120k–140k2,057 tests | 69.8% | 64.4% | +5.4 higher |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Honda CR-V: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months) (3,459,000 tests). 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 pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 574 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
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.
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).
Alternatives to consider
If the Honda CR-V doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
Honda CR-V: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Honda CR-V in the UK?
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 is the best year to buy a used Honda CR-V in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. Owner reports of fuel-in-oil dilution concentrate on 2018–early 2019 cars (we found no UK Honda fix or DVSA recall, so still ask the seller what was done), and later cars have a more mature e:HEV hybrid calibration and improved infotainment. The 2020 refresh added Honda Sensing standard across all trims — the most comprehensive ADAS bundle in the segment.
What years of Honda CR-V should I avoid in the UK?
No specific year of the Mk5, 2018–2023 (Hybrid) Honda CR-V is generally avoided. 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.
How much does a used Honda CR-V cost in the UK in 2026?
This page gives no figure at the moment: Autoza quotes asking prices only when at least 10 qualifying cars are advertised with a price — here, Honda CR-V cars registered 2018–2023. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Honda CR-V in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £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.
What real-world fuel economy does a Honda CR-V achieve on UK roads?
Typical real-world consumption: 1.5T petrol: 31–38 mpg real-world. e:HEV hybrid: 42–49 mpg — significantly better on UK city/suburban use.
How does a Honda CR-V compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Honda CR-V most suitable 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.
Who should NOT buy a Honda CR-V?
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).
Are there safety recalls on the Honda CR-V?
DVSA lists 2 safety recalls for the Honda CR-V that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2020/061 (42,435 vehicles in the whole recall): The absorption of moisture into the driver's air bag propellant could lead to slow deployment or inflator rupture; R/2023/357 (18,733 vehicles, built between 22 October 2018 and 1 July 2022): Battery Cable Contact Short Circuit Problem. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the Hybrid battery cable (safety recall) on the Honda CR-V a serious problem?
Hybrid battery cable (safety recall) on the Honda CR-V is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2023/357. Symptoms: DVSA recall wording: in certain collisions the battery cable may be pinched and damaged, causing a short circuit, so the cable can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Years affected: CR-V Hybrid built 22 October 2018 to 1 July 2022. DVSA lists it in two rows: 8,320 cars built to 26 May 2020 and 10,413 e:HEV cars built from 1 June 2020. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under the recall at a Honda dealer. What to check before buying: Check the registration on GOV.UK’s recall check and ask for the Honda dealer record showing R/2023/357 was done.
Is the 1.5 VTEC Turbo fuel-in-oil dilution on the Honda CR-V a serious problem?
Owner-reported, frequency unknown: 1.5 VTEC Turbo fuel-in-oil dilution comes up in owner forums and workshop reports for the Honda CR-V, but how often it happens is not known, so treat it as a question to ask rather than a fault every car has. Symptoms: Engine oil level rising above max on dipstick; oil smells of petrol; reduced oil viscosity. Years affected: 2018–early 2019 (1.5T petrol). Indicative repair cost in the UK: Warranty cover varies by car, so ask a Honda dealer about the exact one; post-warranty oil damage: £800–£2,500 depending on severity. What to check before buying: 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.
Check these next
The guide above is about the Honda CR-V as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse Honda CR-V listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the CR-VVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly paymentExamples for a car loan or hire purchase by price, deposit, term and APR.
- What is your CR-V worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
Looking to buy a Honda CR-V in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.