Honda CR-V in the used car check

Dani Heyne

M Eister Wünsch turns up his nose: Something doesn't seem to like it today. The autumn sun laughs over the workshop roof, in front of which is a well-polished third-generation Honda CR-V. Even for car fans, the largest Honda SUV in this country is a comparatively exotic type that you don't come across too often. Especially when you compare it with the top dog VW Tiguan. Interestingly, Honda launched the first CR-V back in 1996, long before the current SUV boom.

And what about VW? The Wolfsburg only came around the corner with their Tiguan when the last analyst confirmed that motorists now want to sit up high and that the off-road look is great. That was in 2007, by the way. “And what do we learn from it?” Bursts in for Master Wünsch: “Even a car life can be pretty nasty.” Because the Honda is a seldom seen guest in his workshop, the foreman met before today's appointment Also made a little clever with colleagues and compared their typical problems with the CR-V with his experiences. He pauses and pulls out an A4-sized piece of paper. Then he stands in front of the CR-V and begins to form sentences from his notes: “There are the disc brakes that like to squeak. And not because the pads end up, but because the brake calipers are dirty. It usually doesn't need more than a thorough cleaning, but it still costs the owner a few hours of work. ”

Dani Heyne

Did you know what CR-V stands for? For 'Comfortable Runabout Vehicle'.

The master lifts his eyes from the slip of paper, takes a look at the speedometer of the CR-V and mumbles: 'Almost 90,000 kilometers down, there could be the problem with theClutch slowly emerge. 'Master Wünsch speaks of undesirable vibrations (' chatter ') that can occur with this model. Especially when the Honda often had to pull heavy trailers. Problems with clutch and wheel gears This problem is already being discussed in relevant forums under the question “Clutch undersized?”. If so, it would be particularly painful, as Honda parts are usually not cheap. “One often has the feeling that a ship is going to steam off in Japan,” agrees Master Wünsch. In order to then concentrate on his note again: 'Creaking noises from the rear axle differential can also occur.'

Before the component is dismantled, changing the oil filling could help. The situation is different if you feel a strong rattle when the steering wheel is fully turned. This mostly comes from the all-wheel drive system, which only engages the rear wheels when necessary. Conversely, this means that you are mainly driving with front-wheel drive. This can cause oil deposits and incrustations in the wheel drive. “My tip: now and then actively use the all-wheel drive, that is, drive off-road or on loose surfaces. If the problem has already arisen, the first thing to do here would be to change the oil in the wheel gears. ”

Master Wünsch has meanwhile set up the bonnet of the Honda and is looking towards the clutch. “If the activation of the clutch cracks, simply greasing the pedal shaft helps. Unfortunately, things are different with the air conditioning compressor, ”he says with warning words and taps the component. 'The magnetic coupling is prone to failure, the replacement is not cheap.'

The master has one last point on his list: 'The exterior mirrors can fold in by themselves and slip out of the bracket.' shouldn't actually be.

Quite a lot of problem areas, right? “Few of them are actually not,” agrees the master, but also puts it into perspective: “These errors can occur, but they don't have to. It is a collection over the years - of different vehicles. You have to be aware of this when looking for a used vehicle. And if in doubt, listen carefully. “

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Then he puts his piece of paper aside and begins to examine the black sheet metal of the CR-V for scratches, dents and parking bumps. Then he devotes himself to the gap dimensions; if these run unevenly, it could be due to badly repaired accident damage. 'After all, we want to get an exact picture of this copy here.' Our CR-V is not in that bad position: two scratches on the door edges, two on the aluminum rims. And that's it for a test drive. Before starting, Master Wünsch looks for the service book in the glove compartment, but doesn't find any. “Not a good sign, we should ask the previous owner again. You don't normally lose that. ”

How does the 2.2 liter diesel feel? “Powerful,” calls the foreman from the driver's seat and shimmy through the gearbox. “It is very easy,” is his assessment. He has nothing to complain about on the clutch: “Good pressure point, no squeaking noises.”

This CR-V has not been checked for a long time

After a successful test drive, the Honda hums up on the lifting platform. Halfway up, Master Wünsch takes a longer look at the brakes, as always. The brake discs are not worn in and the pads still have enough meat. So all the way to the top with the CR-V. Master Wünsch pulls out a flashlight and starts the underbody check. The engine and gearbox are dry, but the exhaust flange to the catalytic converter doesn't take much longer - the rust eats it up.

Dani Heyne

Heavy rust: Although the exhaust flange is massive, the rust soon wears it through.

On the front axle, the rubbers of both support joints are worn, they should be replaced. There was no spring break, but the protective covers of the front shock absorbers are torn in several places. If they are not exchanged, the shock absorber can be damaged. “And take a look at the intercooler,” calls Master Wünsch and lights up the left wheel arch. The exposed installation location means that the slats are full of stones. “Probably just a question ofTime until it starts to leak. ”The condition of this CR-V confirms what the list of possible problems has announced. The Honda can cause problems as it ages, especially if it is not checked regularly. “I'm slowly getting an idea why we couldn't find a service booklet,” says Meister Wünsch in parting.

There remains the price check: Used Honda CR-Vs from 2008 (like this one) start with the 140 hp diesel and around 90,000 kilometers at 8,700 euros. Comparable petrol engines are almost as expensive.

Versions, engines & equipment

Did you know what CR-V stands for? For 'Comfortable Runabout Vehicle'. Which, generously translated, means something like 'comfortable speedster'. Honda came up with the abbreviation long before the current SUV boom - the Honda CR-V ultimately belongs to this category. It was born in 1996 and is currently in its fourth generation.

The first CR-V was already 4.50 meters in length, which promised an airy interior. A Japanese specialty of this model was that the rear door opens sideways to the right. In 1999 there was the first facelift, in which the front bumper in particular was changed. The automatic transmission was joined by a five-speed manual transmission. Honda has a surprise in store for the trunk: a camping table that doubles as a base plate.

In autumn 2001, the Japanese presented the second generation of the CR-V (model code RD). In the high four-door there was again a lot of space, the trunk volume is 952 liters with the rear seat folded down. This CR-V also had the all-wheel drive system called Real Time, which automatically adds the rear wheels when there is little traction on the driving front wheels. So as not to create false ideas: the all-wheel drive is more for driving safety than for getting ahead in rough terrain. A lack of gear reduction and the self-supporting body with independent suspension make the CR-V not an off-road vehicle, but an SUV according to the current fashion.

In autumn 2004 there was a slight facelift. On the engine side, the popular 2.2 liter diesel with 103 kW (140 PS) was added to the range - to the delight of the fans who had missed a powerful diesel. The third CR-V (model code RE5) came in autumn 2006 - 4.52 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and 1.6 tons in weight. It also has permanent all-wheel drive.

The engine range includes two petrol engines (2.0 with 150 hp and 2.4 with 166 hp) and a diesel engine (2.2 with 140 hp). Since the facelift in 2009, this diesel engine has complied with the Euro 5 emissions standard and has an output of 150 hp. All four-cylinders always come with all-wheel drive and are either linked to a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic.