1996 Honda Civic 1.6L Petrol · P391 HEM

The vehicle remains roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows a persistent pattern of aging rubber components and suspension wear. The most recent test in June 2025 at 144,913 miles identified a severely deteriorated offside front inner driveshaft constant velocity boot. While the car passed, this failure follows a long history of minor mechanical defects, suggesting that while the vehicle is kept on the road, components are reaching the end of their functional life due to age rather than high mileage alone. At approximately 30 years old, the recorded mileage of 144,913 miles is remarkably low, averaging just 4,830 miles per year. This low usage frequency explains the survival of the chassis, but it also accounts for the gradual degradation of rubber bushes and seals. Between July 2023 and June 2025, the vehicle covered 15,731 miles, indicating a consistent but light-duty usage pattern. The long intervals between tests often lead to dry rot and cracking of rubber parts, which aligns with the recurring advisories seen in the older records. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the rear suspension geometry, as the record repeatedly flags worn axle swivel pins, bushes, and trailing arm bushes dating back to 2021. The nearside rear wheel bearing was noted for play and noise in two consecutive tests during 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, the persistent minor oil leak from the nearside front driveshaft oil seal reported in 2021 should be checked to ensure it has not worsened into a high-pressure failure. Given the age of this Honda Civic, close attention to structural corrosion on the sills and wing arches is critical, as the MOT record does not explicitly detail the state of surface rust common to this era of vehicle.