Used Honda CR-V 2006 - 2012 reliability

Although four-wheel drive is standard, the CR-V was primarily engineered for on-road use, so you’ll need to check for damage under the nose and rear of the car to make sure a previous owner hasn’t attempted some overly optimistic off-roading.

Also, while the interior is fundamentally well put together, it’s prone to superficial wear, becoming scuffed and marked quite easily.

The five-speed automatic gearbox is an acquired taste; it doesn’t impact too heavily on fuel consumption or emissions, but it does restrict the performance somewhat, so it’s best reserved for those who do most of their mileage in town.

As with almost all Hondas, reliability is a strong point, but there are still some common failures. The clutch that controls the air conditioning pump can prove troublesome, so listen for a rattling noise behind the dashboard and check to see if the air coming out of the vents is being properly chilled.

In addition, a rumbling sound emanating from under the rear of the car, especially with the steering on full lock, indicates potential differential problems. True, it may just be that the differential oil needs changing, but more expensive mechanical issues are not unknown.

A squeaking noise from the clutch on manual cars means a replacement is needed, and there are also reported issues with the alternator and the rear wiper motor, but these tend to be rarer.

Short answer: yes. In our 2023 used car reliability survey covering models between six and 20 years old, the CR-V was rated as the most reliable used large SUV on the road. Its score of 95.7% was all the more impressive because the earliest models are more than 15 years old.

Honda performed well in our rundown of the most reliable used car brands, too, with a 90.7% score putting it in fourth place.

General consumables such as filters, fluids, wiper blades shouldn’t cost much more than for a family saloon. However, a common complaint is the CR-V’s appetite for tyres; having to replace them after a mere 12,000 miles is not unknown, especially for models riding on larger alloy wheels.

The brakes can take a pounding, too, so make sure that you keep them regularly inspected: especially the discs, which can pit or develop a distinct lip of a few millimetres depth on the edge when worn.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine needs its valve clearances checked and adjusted every 75,000 miles, so carefully inspect the service history to make sure that this has been done on schedule.