Buying a used Honda Vezel in Singapore: what to know

Short answer: a used Vezel is a smart, practical choice: an economical small SUV with a lot of cabin space for its size, and an affordable way into an SUV. Pick the version that suits how you drive, look at the history, and check how much COE is left. Every car we sell shows its COE remaining and monthly payment up front.

Vezel or HR-V?

They are the same family. In Japan the car is sold as the Vezel. In Singapore the authorised Honda dealer sells it as the HR-V, while many cars on the road came in through parallel importers under the Vezel name, so you will see both names on listings, including ours.

Which Vezel?

First generation. Launched in Japan at the end of 2013, it came with two drivetrains:

• 1.5-litre petrol (i-VTEC) with a CVT automatic. Simpler, smooth, and the one to choose if you value straightforward ownership.
• 1.5-litre hybrid with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (Honda's i-DCD system). More economical, but a dual-clutch gearbox behaves differently from a conventional automatic in stop-start traffic, so test-drive it the way you will actually drive it.

Second generation. Launched in 2021, as a 1.5-litre petrol or with Honda's e:HEV hybrid system, which works quite differently from the earlier hybrid. These are younger cars, so they cost more and still have most of their first COE ahead of them.

How the car's age changes the numbers

A first-generation Vezel registered in the mid-2010s is now close to the end of its first 10-year COE, or already past it. That changes the sums:

• COE left. A car with less COE left costs less to buy, and you know exactly how long it is good for. When the COE ends, the owner can renew it for 5 or 10 years at the Prevailing Quota Premium, or deregister the car.
• Depreciation per year. Compare cars on this figure, not on price. It is shown on every car we sell.
• Loans. MAS allows up to 70% of the price for a car whose OMV is $20,000 or less, and for a used car the OMV is first reduced for its age, so most older Vezels qualify for the 70% limit. Loans can run for up to 7 years but never past the car's COE, so on a Vezel near the end of its COE the loan is short, or not available with under a year left. Try our monthly payment calculator, which applies both limits.
• After 10 years. If the COE is renewed, road tax carries a surcharge that starts at 10% and rises each year, and the car is inspected annually. See our guide to COE cars.

What to check on a used Vezel

1. COE expiry date and, if renewed, whether for 5 or 10 years.
2. Service history, especially for the hybrid gearbox and battery.
3. Recall status. In 2014 Honda updated the gearbox software on some early hybrids built in Japan between July 2013 and February 2014. A quick check on LTA's vehicle recall checker confirms the status of any car.
4. Test drive in traffic, not just on an open road: low-speed behaviour tells you most.
5. Air-conditioning, which works hard in our climate.
6. Tyres and brakes, a quick sign of how the car has been looked after.
7. An independent inspection. You are welcome to bring your own mechanic to any of our cars.

Here is what we have now. Looking for something specific? WhatsApp us.

Sources

Checked on 1 October 2026. Rules change, so check again for any decision that depends on them.

• Honda: Vezel launch, 2013, 2014 DCT software update
• LTA OneMotoring: vehicle recall, COE renewal, road tax
• MAS: Motor vehicle loans