2021 Honda CR-V 2.0L Hybrid electric · RV21 HXL

A 2021 Honda CR-V with three consecutive MOT passes and no recorded failures or advisory defects relating to structural integrity, braking, suspension, steering, tyres, exhaust, or lighting presents a roadworthiness record that is consistent with a vehicle that has not yet developed the kind of component wear issues that would prompt examiner attention. The most recent test on 6 August 2026 was a pass, with the only entry being a minor defect for a damaged windscreen that did not affect the driver's view, alongside a standard advisory noting that items had been removed from the driver's view prior to inspection. The 2025 and 2024 tests followed the same pattern of clean passes, with the only recorded items being advisory notes about child seats fitted to the rear outboard positions preventing full inspection of the adult seatbelts. There is no escalation in advisory severity across the three tests and no emerging pattern of deterioration, which is the principal mechanical takeaway from the history. With 65,855 miles recorded on a vehicle of this age, the CR-V is covering approximately 13,171 miles per year, which is at the higher end of typical use and noticeably above the average for a five-year-old family SUV. This kind of mileage profile generally places greater demand on consumable items such as brake pads, brake discs, tyres, and drive belts, and accelerates wear on suspension bushes, anti-roll bar linkages, and wheel bearings compared with a lower-mileage example. There are no significant gaps in the testing record to suggest a prolonged period off the road, and the consistent year-on-year testing indicates continuous use, meaning the recorded odometer readings are likely to be representative of genuine accumulated mileage. The absence of any mileage-related advisories across three tests is itself a positive indicator, as examiners will flag inconsistent or implausible readings when they occur. Because the MOT history is notably free of component-specific advisories, the principal areas for a prospective buyer to focus on during a physical inspection are the items that typically wear progressively on a high-mileage Honda CR-V of this generation without necessarily being flagged at test. The rear brake discs and pads are worth close examination, as the CR-V's rear calipers are known to seize gradually on high-mileage examples, which can manifest as pulling to one side under braking or uneven pad wear visible through the wheel. The suspension should be tested over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, listening for clonking or knocking from the front anti-roll bar drop links and rear trailing arm bushes, both of which are common wear items on this platform and can degrade without producing an MOT failure until the wear is quite advanced. Steering play should be checked with the engine running and the wheels straight, as any notchiness or excess free movement could indicate worn tie rod ends or rack wear consistent with higher annual mileages. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to the behaviour of the automatic or manual gearbox under light throttle, as any hesitation, flare, or roughness from the transmission would warrant further investigation given the mileage. The all-wheel-drive system, where fitted, should be checked for binding or vibration on full-lock turns, which can indicate degraded rear differential fluid or propshaft wear. The 1.5-litre petrol engine fitted to this generation should be started from cold and observed for any timing chain rattle from the top of the engine, as well as checked for oil consumption between services. The windscreen defect noted at the 2026 test should be physically inspected to confirm it remains outside the driver's primary line of sight, and the rear seatbelt buckles should be examined to ensure they retract and latch correctly, as the child seat advisories from 2024 and 2025 meant those particular belts could not be fully assessed at the time of test.