CarCostCheck

HONDA CR-V (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 9,218 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1590cc23 years old9,218 tests137k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1590cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1590cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,157
Per month£180/mo
Per week£41/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the HONDA brand average of 84%.

At 23 years old, 69% of HONDA CR-Vs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 9,218 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 136,701 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars310th of 445(top 70%)
Rank among HONDA models388th of 422(top 92%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-3%(72% avg)
vs HONDA average-15%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

136,701

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 HONDA CR-V has 136,701 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2003 sits between the two at 69%.

HONDA CR-V by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202296%32620,832 mi
202196%13,28424,270 mi
202096%12,38929,574 mi
201996%15,14135,707 mi
201893%15,93146,102 mi
201791%20,23255,840 mi
201691%23,96265,255 mi
201590%23,53974,210 mi
201488%25,02983,042 mi
201387%23,93190,377 mi
201285%21,24994,887 mi
201183%17,179106,314 mi
201082%17,187111,296 mi
200979%16,755127,800 mi
200876%19,286133,540 mi
200774%26,436135,871 mi
200672%17,606137,398 mi
200570%16,222139,535 mi
200470%11,559135,916 mi
200369%9,218136,701 mi
200269%6,011141,722 mi
200170%2,186122,406 mi
200065%1,278122,901 mi
199967%1,607129,634 mi
199867%1,169126,291 mi
199770%268128,330 mi

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About the 2003 HONDA CR-V

The 2003 HONDA CR-V is a small family car with a 1590cc petrol engine. 9,218 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 136,701 miles at 23 years old, HONDA CR-V owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2003 HONDA CR-V Fuel Costs

The 1590cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 HONDA CR-V?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

HONDA CR-V Reliability Trend

Newer HONDA CR-Vs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 20 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 HONDA CR-V

At 23 years old, the HONDA CR-V is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 9,218 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 HONDA CR-V's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 137k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 HONDA CR-V stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
HONDA CR-V(2003)69%£1137£265Grp 12-25£2157
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£435
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£435

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Honda Models

Explore other Honda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Honda Cr-v.

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