2006 Honda CR-V Sport review from UK and Ireland

Discs pitted and corroded at 2600 miles.

Replacement discs lasted only 6000 miles of careful use before warping, requiring replacement. Warped again at 30,000 - in 20 years of driving I've never warped a disc!

DMF showing signs of catastrophic failure, clutch started slipping at 26,000 of mainly motorway miles at peak torque. Nursed to 33,000 miles before total replacement required. DMF and clutch, including labour without any contribution from Honda 2 weeks after warranty expired (full and comprehensive dealer history) cost a total of £1675.

EGR valve failed, replaced under warranty.

Seat belt mechanism recoil faulty, dealer uninterested.

Interior trim marks easily.

Car pulled to left under acceleration from new, dealer investigated and advised it's a quirk of the model.

Rust spots developing on bonnet and roof above windscreen.

I bought the car as the first newer car I’ve ever owned, and feel utterly let down by a car from a brand normally associated with impeccable reliability. It has cost a small fortune beyond expected wear and tear items, given the care and attention lavished on it!

Honda should acknowledge publicly there is an issue with the clutch and dual mass flywheel of 2.2 CDTI engines (Civic, CRV, Accord etc.), which seem to have a habit of failing immediately after the warranty has expired. I’ve never had an issue with a clutch failing, the car has been used lightly (no towing) and principally for longer distance motorway cruising. I simply could not afford to throw any more money at the car, and sold it at a loss long before I’d planned to part with it.

Other than the mechanical issues with the car, it has performed well, delivering excellent fuel economy and was always enjoyable to drive.

Spacious, light and ergonomically well set out cabin, with plenty of head and legroom save for the passenger seat where the heater blower encroaches into the footwell.

I loved some of the quirky details like the dash mounted handbrake, chiller box, side hinged tail gate and the boot floor that doubles as a picnic table. None of these have made their way into the revised model, and even had I not had the reliability issues I have experienced, the new model has lost any appeal over the outgoing car.

Having changed the car for a similar car in the same class, I hadn’t realised quite how agricultural the Honda was by comparison.

Perhaps I got unlucky, but forums are increasingly suggesting this may not be the case.

An expensive mistake in hindsight.