2005 Honda CR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 63,972 MOT tests, the 2005 Honda CR-V recorded a 72.5% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.0%, so the 2005 CR-V sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.7% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 7,113 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.4% in the 0-30k band and 30.8% in the 150k+ band, a 12.3-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.6pp more often than petrol ones (29.0% vs 26.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 46.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 12,592 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 9,728 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 4,504 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.2% | 3,982 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 3,884 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 3,336 |
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 | 7,113 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 6,116 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 4,074 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 3,519 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 3,185 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 2,942 |
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 | 46.6% | 29,836 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.9% | 17,815 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 25.0% | 15,970 |
| 4 | Brakes | 23.3% | 14,900 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.7% | 8,762 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.3% | 7,215 |
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 | 103 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,373 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 6,534 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 15,345 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 19,315 | 28.3% |
| 150k+ | 21,287 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 38,586 | 26.5% |
| Diesel | 25,385 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,694 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 14,485 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 12,917 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 11,361 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 9,515 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 CR-V
On a 2005 CR-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (7.0% 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 2005 Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 63,972 2005 Honda CR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Honda CR-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2005 CR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 63,972 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.