2004 Honda Civic 1.6L Petrol · WL04 AJV

The vehicle is currently in a poor state of maintenance with a worsening trend in mechanical neglect. Although it passed its most recent test on 7 October 2025 at 139,333 miles, the record shows a pattern of reactive rather than preventative care. The car failed the day prior due to a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber and an excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage. The fact that the vehicle passed the following day with several severe advisories still present, including deteriorated ball joint dust covers and corroded brake pipes, indicates a tendency to perform the bare minimum repairs required for a certificate. The mileage is typical for a 22 year old vehicle, averaging roughly 6,333 miles per year. There was a significant increase in usage between October 2022 at 91,584 miles and October 2025 at 139,333 miles, where the car covered over 47,000 miles in three years. This period of higher activity coincides with a sharp increase in suspension and brake failures, suggesting the chassis is now struggling under the accumulated wear of its later life. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the braking system and chassis. Corrosion of the brake pipes has been a recurring failure and advisory since June 2018, appearing consistently in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This suggests a systemic rust issue rather than isolated wear. The suspension is equally concerning; ball joint dust covers have been flagged as severely deteriorated since 2022, and the front suspension arm bushes were noted as worn in both 2023 and 2025. The history of repeated failures for tyre tread and wiper blades suggests the previous owner ignored basic consumables until they became MOT failures. Given the persistent issues with cloudy headlamp lenses and recurring suspension play, the vehicle likely requires a comprehensive overhaul of its front-end components and a professional assessment of the underbody structural integrity to ensure no deeper corrosion exists beyond the brake lines.