2012 Honda CR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
73,071 MOT tests on the 2012 Honda CR-V are in this dataset, and 85.4% of them passed. That is 7.7 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.7% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are individual direction indicators, tread depth and stop lamp — individual direction indicators alone was recorded 2,013 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.8% once past 150k — 2.6× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.3pp more often than petrol ones (15.6% vs 13.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 6,335 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.1% | 3,750 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 3,118 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 2,477 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 2,079 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.3% | 959 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Individual direction indicators | 2,013 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,865 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,618 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,613 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,497 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 1,437 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 24.1% | 17,572 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.5% | 14,269 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.4% | 11,998 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 7,874 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.2% | 6,738 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 4,007 |
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 | 1,301 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 13,274 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 26,233 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 20,341 | 16.8% |
| 120-150k | 8,578 | 19.7% |
| 150k+ | 3,324 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 41,478 | 15.6% |
| Petrol | 31,593 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,553 | 12.3% |
| 2022 | 14,504 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 14,760 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 14,685 | 15.8% |
| 2025 | 14,569 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 CR-V
On a 2012 CR-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.1% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% 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 2012 Honda CR-Vs pass their MOT?
85.4% of the 73,071 2012 Honda CR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Honda CR-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by suspension (5.1%).
Does the 2012 CR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 73,071 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.