Buying a diesel Honda CRV advice please

[Shr]

Hi,

I'm interested in buying a 1.6 diesel Honda crv 2016-2018.

My budget is anything between 10k to 20k depending on how much I can save before my wife is due in 5 months and if I get the rest on finance (if it makes sense to). I've never spent more than 3k on buying a car so I really would like to get this right as I've bought some right lemons before while others have been surprisingly solid.

I used to have a high mileage manual 2006 civic previously and found out afterwards that commonly the gearboxes start failing from 70k miles onwards (something to do with the bearing it think) so when purchasing a crv are there any mechanical issues I should look out for at a certain mileages??

Which are more reliable manual or auto??

I would really like to get an EX model. I figured if I'm spending I might as well get something with all the bells and whistles or would I be just as happy with an SE model?? I wouldn't get an S model as I'd want parking sensors.

I've seen some 2016 EX models with less than 60k for sale for under £16k could I do better?? ULEZ compliance is important so 2016 onwards is needed.

I haven't taken any crvs for a test drive yet. I've read that their not the most exciting cars but that does not bother me. The civic was fun but i would often get it in the neck from the wife as the sports suspension isn't comfy.

Also should I avoid purchasing vehicles from Ireland?? They seem to be cheaper over there. I understand I'd have to get it back over which is a cost but other than this is there any reason(s) I should avoid buying from Ireland??

Someone once told me to avoid buying cars from Scotland due to something about salt causing rust. Is there any basis for this??

Thank you in advance for any help on this.

[ilikejam]

I got one of these in 2015 when they were the new model. It was a nice enough place to be and the EX was well equipped and looked good in the cream leather we had. We went from a 2012 Sportage and the Honda seemed to have a lot more space inside. It was entirely unremarkable to drive and the handling made the Kia seem like a Fiesta in comparison, but it was quiet and comfortable.

After about 2.5 years of my wife running the kids about in it, the DPF clogged and the car conked out. Honda were an absolute nightmare to deal with and spent a month saying we needed a new engine at a cost of over £5k. DPF issues are not unique to Honda and our usage profile was probably prime DPF clog fodder, but the customer service experience was awful. Put me off buying Honda again

[ZX10R NIN]

The first thing to work out is your usage & if it suits a diesel there are good reliable ULEZ compliant diesel alternatives that start from around 8k but you will pay £200 more a year in road tax:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302194...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...

[Trevor555]

Try to buy locally as it' makes it easier for you, and the dealer, to sort any issues post sale.

Are you doing long enough journeys for a diesel?

You mentioned ULEZ, will the car get any decent runs?

Not many issues with CRV's, all I've come across is rear diff noise on full lock, and MAF meter that was something silly like £270 from Honda.

[ALawson]

ilikejam said:

I got one of these in 2015 when they were the new model. It was a nice enough place to be and the EX was well equipped and looked good in the cream leather we had. We went from a 2012 Sportage and the Honda seemed to have a lot more space inside. It was entirely unremarkable to drive and the handling made the Kia seem like a Fiesta in comparison, but it was quiet and comfortable.

After about 2.5 years of my wife running the kids about in it, the DPF clogged and the car conked out. Honda were an absolute nightmare to deal with and spent a month saying we needed a new engine at a cost of over £5k. DPF issues are not unique to Honda and our usage profile was probably prime DPF clog fodder, but the customer service experience was awful. Put me off buying Honda again

Was this a 2.2 or 1.6? I know the former has known issues for low mileage and DPF issues. I am looking at almost exactly the same CRV, but now looking at 2016 E360 estates for similar money.

[Shr]

ilikejam said:

I got one of these in 2015 when they were the new model. It was a nice enough place to be and the EX was well equipped and looked good in the cream leather we had. We went from a 2012 Sportage and the Honda seemed to have a lot more space inside. It was entirely unremarkable to drive and the handling made the Kia seem like a Fiesta in comparison, but it was quiet and comfortable.

After about 2.5 years of my wife running the kids about in it, the DPF clogged and the car conked out. Honda were an absolute nightmare to deal with and spent a month saying we needed a new engine at a cost of over £5k. DPF issues are not unique to Honda and our usage profile was probably prime DPF clog fodder, but the customer service experience was awful. Put me off buying Honda again

Thanks for sharing your experience albeit not great.
Was not looking to buy from Honda to be honest but will bear in mind if I have to deal with them not to expect much.

My usage will be 3 x 20 mile round trips a week to work 5 miles odd job driving on the weekend and usually 60 to 100 mile fortnightly to go see my parents. Do you reckon this diesel worthy??

[stevemcs]

Just make sure the AC works properly. Compressors can fail and they are stupidly expensive.

[Shr]

ZX10R NIN said:

The first thing to work out is your usage & if it suits a diesel there are good reliable ULEZ compliant diesel alternatives that start from around 8k but you will pay £200 more a year in road tax:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302194...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...

Thanks for this insight. Never thought to look at infinity's. I agree the tax is a bit of a shocker also the engines are 3.0 L surely that must drink like a fish??

The first one for 8k is a 2013 plate so I don't think it's ulez compliant.

As mentioned in a previous reply...
My usage will be 3 x 20 mile round trips a week to work 5 miles odd job driving on the weekend and usually 60 to 100 mile fortnightly to go see my parents. Do you reckon this diesel worthy??

[Shr]

Trevor555 said:

Try to buy locally as it' makes it easier for you, and the dealer, to sort any issues post sale.

Are you doing long enough journeys for a diesel?

You mentioned ULEZ, will the car get any decent runs?

Not many issues with CRV's, all I've come across is rear diff noise on full lock, and MAF meter that was something silly like £270 from Honda.

Thanks for the insights.

So far reliability wise they don't seem too bad.

I've mentioned my usage in the last couple of replies. what sort of usage is diesel worthy?

Should I be looking at the hybrid model?

Isn't the petrol or hybrid model going cost a small fortune in fuel compared to the diesel??

[Shr]

stevemcs said:

Just make sure the AC works properly. Compressors can fail and they are stupidly expensive.

Thanks - will look out for this.

[Trevor555]

Shr said:

As mentioned in a previous reply...
My usage will be 3 x 20 mile round trips a week to work 5 miles odd job driving on the weekend and usually 60 to 100 mile fortnightly to go see my parents. Do you reckon this diesel worthy??

The 60 to 100 miles fortnightly trips should keep the DPF happy.

[stevemcs]

Diesels are poor around town and on short trips, your mileage doesn't warrant a diesel.

I don't think you will have any DPF issues, just change the oil every year, use decent fuel - ideally a premium one once a month and if you get any warning lights get them looked at. Diesels will cost more to service and more on fuel. If the hybrid is in budget thats the way i would go. Its not always about MPG.

[ZX10R NIN]

Shr said:

Thanks for this insight. Never thought to look at infinity's. I agree the tax is a bit of a shocker also the engines are 3.0 L surely that must drink like a fish??

The first one for 8k is a 2013 plate so I don't think it's ulez compliant.

As mentioned in a previous reply...
My usage will be 3 x 20 mile round trips a week to work 5 miles odd job driving on the weekend and usually 60 to 100 mile fortnightly to go see my parents. Do you reckon this diesel worthy??

The first one at 8k is ULEZ compliant go on the TFL site & you'll see it qualifies.

I'd say your usage is fine for a diesel as lond as you're doing the longer runs.

[ZX10R NIN]

Forgot to say that although the tax is a fair bit higher it's not even £15 a month more vs the CR-V & it's also 2-3k cheaper to buy than a ULEZ compliant vs the CR V.

The Infiniti unit is the same as those found in the Nissan vans.

[Shr]

been doing some more digging around...

Why on earth are Mercedes Benz B class EVs so Cheap??

I am surely losing the plot but there's quite a few of these from £13k upwards. What am I missing here?? they only do 125 miles on a full charge apparently but I think I could like with that.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212062...