2004 HONDA CR-V2.0L Petrol

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a concerning shift toward structural degradation and deferred component replacement. The most recent test in January 2026 at 179,163 miles recorded a new advisory for corrosion on the offside rear vehicle structure within 30cm of a mounting. While this did not cause a failure, it represents a progression of rust issues that were previously noted in the form of corroded coil springs and exhaust components in 2020. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,144 miles per year. Between the January 2023 test at 173,827 miles and the 2026 test at 179,163 miles, the car covered only 5,336 miles, suggesting low annual use recently. However, the low mileage does not offset the age-related neglect of rubber and metal components, which appear to be addressed only after reaching a failure point rather than through preventative maintenance. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the offside rear mounting point to determine if the structural corrosion is surface-level or compromising the chassis. The history reveals a pattern of neglected consumables, evidenced by repeated failures for thin brake pads in 2016 and tyres reaching the legal limit in 2020 and 2022. The suspension requires a close check for further cracking or sagging, as the tester flagged corroded coil springs on both rear sides in 2020. The recurring presence of defective headlamp lenses and reflectors across 2024, 2025, and 2026 indicates a lack of attention to minor but functional defects. More critically, the buyer should verify the engine management system and SRS system are fully operational, as the vehicle has a history of inoperative MIL lights and SRS warning lamps dating back 2017 and 2020. Given the structural rust advisory, the long-term integrity of the underbody is the primary risk for this purchase.