2021 Honda HR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 922 MOT tests, the 2021 Honda HR-V recorded a 97.4% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 7.1% of the time, so this is 4.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (1.7%) and visibility (1.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 12 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.7% | 16 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.7% | 16 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 12 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 7 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 4 |
| 6 | Front fog lamps | 3 |
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 | 20.1% | 185 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.0% | 46 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.6% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 7 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 700 | 1.6% |
| 30-60k | 215 | 6.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 814 | 2.2% |
| Petrol | 65 | 6.2% |
| Diesel | 43 | 4.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 445 | 2.0% |
| 2025 | 451 | 2.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 HR-V
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 1.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (1.7% 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.
- Visibility (1.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Honda HR-Vs pass their MOT?
97.4% of the 922 2021 Honda HR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 2.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Honda HR-V?
Tyres, recorded in 1.7% of tests, followed by visibility (1.7%).
Does the 2021 HR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 1.6% in the 0-30k band to 6.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 922 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.