2008 Honda CR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
68,197 MOT tests on the 2008 Honda CR-V are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 27.0% of the time, so this is 4.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.9%) and suspension (11.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, tread depth and position lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 2,827 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.8% in the 0-30k band and 26.5% in the 150k+ band, a 14.7-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 19.6% fail against 23.7% for diesel, a 4.1-point gap across 68,195 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 19.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 8,778 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 8,004 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.9% | 3,312 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 3,032 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.3% | 2,967 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 2,647 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 2,827 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 2,690 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 2,453 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 2,361 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,319 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 2,278 |
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 | 37.5% | 25,606 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.1% | 18,506 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.9% | 13,535 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 9,721 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 9,067 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.1% | 8,927 |
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 | 212 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,851 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,923 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 19,028 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 20,207 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 17,949 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 42,140 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 26,055 | 19.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,714 | 19.6% |
| 2022 | 14,573 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 13,940 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 13,158 | 23.8% |
| 2025 | 11,812 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 CR-V
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (4.9% 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 2008 Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 68,197 2008 Honda CR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Honda CR-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2008 CR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 68,197 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.