Credov's researched list of the 5 faults the Honda Vezel Hybrid is known for (2013–2021), 3 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Feel for a pause, a roll-back on a hill or a flat spot when you pull away from a stop.
Why it matters: Honda notified MLIT of three separate DCT actions on this gearbox - a recall on 24 October 2013 (4,883 units), a service campaign with an accompanying recall on 20 December 2013 (36,100 units) and a recall on 10 February 2014 covering 81,353 Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid units.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Ask for the service booklet showing what the gearbox recall fix was, and feel for gears not engaging on the drive.
Why it matters: Honda's own remedy was two-tier: it checked each transmission's gear change history, replaced the DCT component where that history indicated non-engagement of gears in order to mitigate damage to internal parts, and then loaded the new control program; cars whose history showed no non-engagement got interim usage advice and the software alone.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Pull away gently and firmly through 2nd, 4th and 6th gear, feeling for surging, slipping or hunting shifts.
Why it matters: Outside Honda's narrow Japanese warranty extension the repair is the buyer's full cost, and the quoted fix is the clutch unit and labour - one of the larger bills this hybrid can present.
Typical repair: NZ$3,500–NZ$8,000 in New Zealand · A$3,610–A$8,240 in Australia
What to look for: On a white car, look along the roof, bonnet, pillars and door edges for flakes, lifted edges or bubbles.
Why it matters: Once the paint has started delaminating it spreads, and a full respray to fix it properly is a significant cost that is worth factoring into any offer on a white car of this generation.
Typical repair: NZ$800–NZ$6,000 in New Zealand · A$820–A$6,180 in Australia
What to look for: Look along the top edge of both headlights for lifting or bubbled chrome trim and for a cloudy, peeling lens coating.
Why it matters: The trim and lens coating only get worse once they start, and a dealer part-and-labour replacement or a lens respray both add cost on a car bought cheap for its age - useful as a price negotiation point.
Typical repair: NZ$120–NZ$400 in New Zealand · A$120–A$410 in Australia
Got a question about a Honda Vezel Hybrid? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.