2003 Honda Cr-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 37,972 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Honda Cr-V, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.8% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.0% in the 150k+ group versus 16.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 7,916 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.1% | 6,477 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 3,870 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 3,342 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 2,836 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 2,094 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 4,418 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 3,740 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 2,928 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,868 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 2,246 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2,211 |
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 | 48.7% | 18,506 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.0% | 12,533 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.7% | 10,505 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 25.9% | 9,826 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 6,119 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.2% | 5,008 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 89 | 16.9% |
| 30-60k | 812 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,758 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 9,002 | 28.5% |
| 120-150k | 12,344 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 11,952 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 37,886 | 30.2% |
| Diesel | 79 | 31.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,050 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 8,759 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 7,519 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 6,409 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 5,235 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Cr-V
Before buying a 2003 Honda Cr-V, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.1% 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.
- Brakes (10.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 Honda Cr-Vs pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 37,972 2003 Honda Cr-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Honda Cr-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by suspension (17.1%).
Does the 2003 Cr-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 0-30k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,972 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.