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Honda Xrv Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Honda Xrv car check

Is the Honda Xrv reliable? We analysed 976 real MOT tests across 146 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 976 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.5%
Typical Mileage
38,809mi
Annual Mileage
999mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
36yrs

The Honda Xrv is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Xrv.

Honda Xrv Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Honda Xrv. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Honda Xrv MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Honda Xrv to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.8%
2002
87.5%
2000
93.8%
1999
87.8%
1998
89.5%
1997
92.2%
1996
84%
1991
87.1%
1990

Honda Xrv Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Honda Xrv fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 7
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 6
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 5
Throttle operating incorrectly 4
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 3
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 3
Drive chain excessively loose 3

Honda Xrv Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Honda Xrv owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
339 mi/yr
Typical
999 mi/yr
Average
1,596 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,238 mi/yr

Honda Xrv MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Honda Xrv year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 142 90.8% 21,712 27,607 48,532
2000 72 87.5% 26,376 34,694 40,220
1999 65 93.8% 11,668 47,325 55,840
1998 123 87.8% 28,670 35,415 55,822
1997 76 89.5% 28,794 34,418 52,007
1996 51 92.2% 39,650 47,752 65,412
1991 50 84.0% 43,642 51,842 69,007
1990 62 87.1% 32,356 57,567 67,005

How Long Does a Honda Xrv Last?

Based on 146 Honda Xrv vehicles on UK roads.

Average
26.0 years
Median
27.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
36 years

Honda Xrv Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Honda Xrv MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
38,809 mi
75th Percentile
56,528 mi
95th Percentile
82,525 mi
Max Recorded
100,648 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Honda Xrv

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1999

93.8% MOT pass rate from 65 tests

Year to avoid
1991

84.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

The best year to buy a used Honda Xrv is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.8% across 65 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Honda Xrv Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Honda Xrv THIS CAR 88.5% 976 38,809 mi 36 yrs
Honda Civic 73.7% 9,391,580 74,987 mi 34 yrs
Honda Jazz 81% 5,740,892 48,635 mi 24 yrs
Honda Cr-v 78.5% 4,177,643 80,499 mi 29 yrs
Kia Sportage 3 CRDI Isg MHEV 86.3% 1,780 35,037 mi — yrs

Compared to the Honda Civic (73.7% pass rate) and the Honda Jazz (81.0% pass rate), the Honda Xrv outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Honda Xrv?

The Honda Xrv has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.5% across 976 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Honda Xrv are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (7 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (6), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (5). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Honda Xrv owner drives around 999 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Honda Xrv models stay on UK roads for around 36 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Honda Xrv — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda Xrv reliable?
Based on 976 MOT tests, the Honda Xrv has a 88.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Honda Xrv?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test indicates a binding brake, and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Honda Xrv do per year?
The typical Honda Xrv does around 999 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Honda Xrv last?
Most Honda Xrv models stay on UK roads for around 36 years based on our analysis of 146 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Honda Xrv?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Honda Xrv?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Honda Xrv is 1999 with a 93.8% pass rate across 65 tests.