Honda Cr V (2003)
2003 Honda Cr V
CarHunch analysed 15,198 real MOT records for the 2003 Honda Cr V. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Honda CR-V has a 74.6% first-time MOT pass rate, which is 5.4 percentage points below the UK average—a meaningful gap that signals more frequent issues than the typical car of this age. More concerning, 41.5% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels and a real red flag for structural or safety problems.
At 90,223 miles median mileage, these CR-Vs are neither particularly high nor low for their age, suggesting normal use patterns. The average vehicle racks up 5.32 failures and 29.4 advisories per test, painting a picture of a car prone to incremental wear rather than catastrophic failure—but buying one will likely mean regular repair bills. Before purchasing, have a trusted mechanic inspect the suspension, brakes, and exhaust closely, as these systems dominate CR-V failure patterns at this age.
What to check before buying a 2003 Honda Cr V
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 41.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Honda Cr V
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 15,100 | 74.6% | 5.33 |
| Diesel (0%) | 47 | 73.9% | 4.94 |
| LPG (0%) | 40 | 74.6% | 4.9 |
| Other (0%) | 9 | 74.3% | 1.22 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 88.8% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Honda Cr V vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Honda Cr V vehicles fall between 72,624 and 106,754 miles.
2003 Honda Cr V — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 3,789 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (29% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Honda Cr V
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
65.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
57.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
54.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
48.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
46.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
32.8%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
-
31.4%
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint
-
29.4%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Cr V?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.