Honda HR-V MOT pass rate and common problems
91.1% of 52,626 Honda HR-V MOT tests pass.
The HR-V passes its MOT 91.1% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda HR-V passes its MOT 91.1% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda HR-V?
This is the average across every Honda HR-V in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Honda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Honda HR-V tested at 0–3 years pass 99.0% of the time, compared with just 67.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 99.0% | 1,430 | 20,229 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.9% | 22,414 | 30,702 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.1% | 25,735 | 53,317 miles |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (15) | 15 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 67.9% | 3,032 | 104,022 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda HR-V
The most common reason the Honda HR-V fails its MOT is tyres — present in 28.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 28.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 25.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 25.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 24.3% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 21.7% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.6% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 1.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Honda HR-V: what to check
These checks follow the Honda HR-V’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Honda HR-V comes between 6–10 years and 15+ years old, from 90.1% to 67.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 77.2% down to 67.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 28.0% of failed Honda HR-V MOTs. 5.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 25.9% of failed Honda HR-V MOTs. 8.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 25.5% of failed Honda HR-V MOTs. 27.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.5% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 24.3% of failed Honda HR-V MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 21.7% of failed Honda HR-V MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 24.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Honda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Honda models
- Honda Jazz — 80.4% pass rate
- Honda Civic — 75.1% pass rate
- Honda CR-V — 81.2% pass rate
- Honda Accord — 69.8% pass rate
- Honda Insight — 79.8% pass rate
- Honda Fit — 92.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda HR-V?
- 91.1% of Honda HR-V MOT tests pass, based on 52,626 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda HR-V?
- The most common reason the Honda HR-V fails its MOT is tyres — present in 28.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Honda HR-V?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda HR-V are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics. 5.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda HR-V?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Honda HR-V's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Honda service history guide for how to check and keep one.