Comparison · family SUVs

Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4: which is more reliable?

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are very close at the MOT: scores of 109 and 108. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 322,584 real MOT tests in 2024.

Honda CR-V

109Well above average
MOT tests194,809

Toyota RAV4

108Well above average
MOT tests127,775

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testHonda CR-VToyota RAV4
3–5 years
107Above average
106Above average
6–9 years
112Well above average
107Above average
10–14 years
119Well above average
115Well above average
15+ years
100About average
107Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaHonda CR-VToyota RAV4
Lights & electrics15.711.0
Suspension11.49.6
Brakes6.88.5
Tyres5.44.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.64.4
Emissions & leaks3.43.8
Body & chassis2.93.3
Steering2.60.5

Honda CR-V: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  2. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.7%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.5%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%

Toyota RAV4: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4?

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are very close at the MOT: scores of 109 and 108. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 can be compared?

Both were tested for 24 registration years (1998–2021). The Honda CR-V had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Toyota RAV4 in 10.

What fails most on each?

Honda CR-V: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; position lamp: not working. Toyota RAV4: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.