2005 Honda Jazz 1.3L Petrol · EF05 AAU

A persistent rear brake and brake-piping concern defines the MOT history of this 2005 Honda Jazz, with the most recent test on 7 December 2024 passing only after flagging rear pads wearing thin, a corroded rear brake pipe, and binding front calipers on both sides. The same combination recurs across the record: the December 2023 test carried advisories for an offside rear brake pad nearing the limit, another corroded rear brake pipe, and offside front binding, while the December 2022 pass was largely uneventful save for a deteriorated number plate. A 2022 failure, however, resulted in a hydrocarbon emission exceedance after the second fast idle, a fuel or ignition-related issue that has not reappeared in the two tests since. Taken together, the brake-pipe advisories have been logged on consecutive annual tests, suggesting corrosion that is likely to be progressive rather than a one-off surface issue, and the binding caliper notes are now bilateral, which warrants close attention. The recorded mileage of 90,327 over twenty-one years equates to roughly 4,300 miles per year, a notably low accumulation that suggests either extended periods of light use or intervals where the vehicle may have been off the road. The MOT record itself shows annual testing from December 2021 through December 2024 without obvious gaps, and no advisory in any test has mentioned odometer inconsistencies, so the low figure appears genuine. Mechanically, low annual mileage on a car of this age reduces wear on major drivetrain components but often accelerates deterioration of items that suffer from prolonged standing: brake components corrode from infrequent use, rubber suspension bushes harden, and exhaust systems suffer internal condensation corrosion. The recurring brake-pipe and caliper advisories are consistent with this usage pattern. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a physical inspection of the rear brake pipework along its full length, paying particular attention to the sections running across the rear axle and behind the fuel tank, as the advisory notes grease or material coverage, which can both mask and accelerate corrosion. Corroded pipes that have been coated rather than replaced tend to fail the next MOT once the surface treatment dries and cracks, so budget for replacement piping and any associated unions. The front caliper sliding pins and piston seals should also be examined; binding calipers that were merely advisory at the last two tests will progress to a failure if the guide pins have corroded or the dust boots are torn, and a test drive should include repeated firm stops from around 30 mph to feel for pulling, uneven effort, or a pedal that does not return crisply. The rear pads, noted as thin at the most recent test, will almost certainly need replacement before the next MOT, and the inner and outer pad wear should be compared to check for the uneven wear pattern that a seized caliper would cause. The 2022 hydrocarbon emission failure should not be dismissed, even though no emissions advisories have appeared since, because intermittent faults in this area are often linked to ageing ignition components, vacuum leaks, or a tired lambda sensor on a vehicle of this age. On the road, listen for a rough or hesitant idle when the engine is warm, and check for any smell of unburnt fuel from the exhaust, particularly just after start-up. Suspension condition is not flagged in the MOT record but, given the age and low-mileage profile, the test drive should include slower-speed travel over uneven surfaces to detect knocking from the front lower arms or rear axle bushes, and the boot and bonnet struts should be checked for hold strength, as these are common Jazz weak points. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is strongly recommended so that the underside, particularly the rear brake lines, subframe mounting points, and exhaust heat shields, can be examined without the masking effect of underseal or road grime.