2004 Honda CR-V MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 50.1% of Honda CR-Vs first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 18,090 CR-V first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and noise, emissions and leaks.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Honda CR-Vs first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2004 Honda CR-V MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, CR-Vs first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the CR-V figure was 7.7 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2004 CR-V | All cars first used 2004 | CR-V first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 51.5% | 53.9% | 8,517 |
| 2022 | 51.9% | 55.2% | 7,664 |
| 2023 | 50.9% | 56.0% | 6,874 |
| 2024 | 50.3% | 56.4% | 6,083 |
| 2025 | 50.1% | 57.8% | 5,133 |
Common 2004 Honda CR-V MOT failures
Share of the 8,959 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 22.3% | 1,998 |
| Position lamp: not working | 18.1% | 1,626 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 14.9% | 1,339 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 13.9% | 1,241 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 9.3% | 835 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
What to check on a 2004 Honda CR-V before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
Common 2004 Honda CR-V MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 CR-Vs, as a share of all 18,090 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 20.7% | 3,752 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.5% | 3,339 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 13.1% | 2,364 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | 11.4% | 2,068 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 11.4% | 2,060 |
Questions about the 2004 Honda CR-V MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Honda CR-V?
In 2025, 50.1% of CR-Vs first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2004 CR-V most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 56.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (43.6%) and noise, emissions and leaks (30.1%). The single most common item was “Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction” (22.3%).
How often does a 2004 Honda CR-V fail its MOT?
In 2025, 49.9% of first tests on CR-Vs first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 39.5% failed, and a further 10.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 8,959 of 18,090 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2004 Honda CR-V MOT advisories?
“Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (on 20.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (18.5%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (13.1%), “Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play” (11.4%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (11.4%).
Is a 2004 Honda CR-V reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 51.5% in 2021 to 50.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2004
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2004 CR-V?
The numbers above cover every CR-V first used in 2004 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.