1997 Honda CR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
847 MOT tests on the 1997 Honda CR-V are in this dataset, and 69.3% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.4% of the time, so this is 2.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 19.5% of tests against 12.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and pins and bushes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 126 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.9% in the 60-90k band and 34.1% in the 150k+ band, a 8.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 52.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.5% | 165 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 108 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 97 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 95 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.1% | 77 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 50 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 126 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 107 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 57 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 55 |
| 5 | Joints | 53 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 52 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 52.8% | 447 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.6% | 225 |
| 3 | Other defects | 23.8% | 202 |
| 4 | Brakes | 23.5% | 199 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.8% | 193 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.7% | 184 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 116 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 212 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 255 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 226 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 262 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 214 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 171 | 35.7% |
| 2024 | 110 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 90 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 1997 CR-V
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 19.5% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (19.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (11.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 847 1997 Honda CR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Honda CR-V?
Suspension, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.8%).
Does the 1997 CR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 60-90k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 847 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.