Comparison · family SUVs

Kia Sportage vs Honda CR-V: which is more reliable?

The Honda CR-V does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 467,011 real MOT tests in 2024.

Kia Sportage

98About average
MOT tests272,202

Honda CR-V

109Well above average
MOT tests194,809

By age

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

Age at testKia SportageHonda CR-V
3–5 years
97Below average
107Above average
6–9 years
100About average
112Well above average
10–14 years
97Below average
119Well above average
15+ years
89Well below average
100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearKia SportageHonda CR-V
202184.5%92.4%
202084.6%92.6%
201983.4%91.6%
201882.8%88.9%
201780.2%86.6%
201677.2%86.3%
201572.5%85.0%
201470.9%82.3%
201362.1%81.0%
201261.1%75.3%
201160.0%72.2%
201056.2%71.1%
200951.3%67.0%
200853.3%62.5%
200750.2%58.1%
200649.9%54.5%
200550.4%53.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaKia SportageHonda CR-V
Lights & electrics6.415.7
Brakes12.76.8
Suspension5.911.4
Tyres6.95.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.94.6
Emissions & leaks2.03.4
Steering2.22.6
Body & chassis0.92.9

Kia Sportage: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%

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%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Honda CR-V?

The Honda CR-V does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V can be compared?

Both were tested for 17 registration years (2005–2021). The Kia Sportage had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Honda CR-V in 17.

What fails most on each?

Kia Sportage: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Honda CR-V: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; position lamp: not working.