2009 Honda CR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Honda CR-V passed 80.1% of its 59,799 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.4 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.7%) and suspension (9.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, track rod end and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 2,235 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.6% versus 13.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.2pp more often than petrol ones (20.8% vs 17.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 6,413 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.7% | 5,823 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.4% | 2,622 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.3% | 2,603 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 2,243 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.4% | 2,031 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 2,235 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,061 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,011 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,841 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,765 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 1,702 |
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 | 35.3% | 21,131 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 16,070 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.6% | 11,698 |
| 4 | Steering | 14.0% | 8,397 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.6% | 7,524 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 6,447 |
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 | 199 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,501 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 9,426 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 18,443 | 18.7% |
| 120-150k | 16,700 | 21.6% |
| 150k+ | 12,516 | 24.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 43,537 | 20.8% |
| Petrol | 16,262 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,495 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 12,419 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 12,207 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 11,641 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 11,037 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 CR-V
On a 2009 CR-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.7% 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.
- Tyres (4.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2009 Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 59,799 2009 Honda CR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Honda CR-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by suspension (9.7%).
Does the 2009 CR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 59,799 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.