2012 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel · FT12 LRU

The 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel CR-V typically returns around 40-43 mpg in mixed use, dropping to mid-30s on motorway commutes. Road tax for a vehicle of this age and engine size sits in a low band, generally under £200 per year. Insurance is usually group 25-28 depending on trim, so budget accordingly. Diesel servicing on this engine, including oil, filters and timing belt intervals, tends to run £300-£500 per major service.

Estimated annual running cost is around £1,400-£1,800, covering fuel, tax, insurance and routine maintenance, but excluding any non-scheduled repairs. Given the mileage on this particular car, expect consumables such as tyres and brake components to need replacing more frequently than on a lower-mileage example. The diesel particulate filter on a high-mileage 2.2 i-CTDi is also worth asking about, as DPF issues can be expensive to resolve.

Start with a physical check of the suspension: the November 2025 failure cited an offside front suspension component ball joint excessively worn, and the November 2023 failure flagged both an offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and a rear anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush. Rock each front wheel by hand and listen for clonks over bumps. Inspect the rear anti-roll bar bushes for cracking or movement. Also check the tyres on all four corners, as three separate failure entries relate to tread depth below the 1.6mm legal minimum.

The headlights are another focal point. Both near and offside front headlamp lenses were flagged as slightly defective on three consecutive tests, and the November 2023 failure noted the nearside front headlamp was not working on dipped beam. Test all lighting functions including main beam, indicators and fog lights before purchase. The windscreen damage advisory has appeared on every recent test, so check for cracks spreading from existing stone chips.

On the diesel engine itself, listen for any diesel knock on cold start, check for excessive smoke from the exhaust, and inspect the oil filler cap for mayonnaise residue that could indicate head gasket wear. The 2.2 i-CTDi is generally robust but timing belt replacement history is critical on a high-mileage unit — ask for documentary proof of the belt change.