2016 Honda CR-V 1.6L Diesel · AE66 XOX

A clear pattern of tyre wear across the rear axle has emerged in the most recent MOT, with both rear tyres flagged on 2026-07-25 as worn close to the legal limit and showing edge wear, alongside perishing and minor damage. This follows an earlier advisory from 2022-08-17 concerning both front tyres displaying similar edge wear characteristics, suggesting a recurring alignment or suspension geometry issue rather than isolated rubber deterioration. A minor defect was also recorded on the offside front track rod end ball joint dust cover, which, while currently preventing dirt ingress, warrants monitoring as compromised dust covers typically accelerate joint wear. The intervening tests from 2023, 2024, and 2025 passed without any advisories, indicating that the underlying wear pattern is intermittent and may have worsened recently, possibly linked to ageing suspension components catching up with the mileage. With 117,322 miles recorded over a ten-year lifespan, this CR-V has accumulated approximately 11,700 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical usage bracket for a vehicle of its age and class. There are no significant gaps in the testing history, with annual MOTs consistently submitted, confirming the vehicle has been in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. This steady, moderate accumulation pattern suggests predictable wear on consumables such as brakes, tyres, and suspension bushes, with components likely to be at a stage where replacement intervals are due or imminent rather than already failed. The absence of any mileage inconsistencies or out-of-sequence readings supports a coherent usage profile without evidence of clock irregularities. For a prospective buyer, the primary inspection priority should be the front suspension and steering geometry, given the recurring tyre edge wear pattern and the track rod end dust cover defect. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn ball joints, wishbone bushes, or anti-roll bar drop links. Pay particular attention to steering behaviour, checking for any pulling to one side under braking or acceleration, vague steering response, or vibration through the wheel, all of which could point to the tracking issues responsible for the observed edge wear. Visually inspect the front and rear tyres for uneven shoulder wear, and verify that a four-wheel alignment has been recently performed; if not, budget for this alongside a replacement set of tyres. Given that both rear tyres were flagged simultaneously for limit wear and damage, a thorough inspection of the rear axle is also warranted, including the rear shock absorbers, coil springs, and any Panhard rod or trailing arm bushes that could contribute to camber issues causing inner or outer edge wear. Examine the rear tyres closely for any bulges, cracking in the sidewalls, or exposed ply cords, as the recorded damage and perishing suggests they may have been near the end of their service life at the test date. Additionally, check for any signs of oil residue around the rear shock absorbers, which would indicate seal failure. Finally, given the high overall mileage, a compression test and inspection of the automatic or manual transmission fluid condition would be prudent, alongside verification of recent cambelt and water pump replacement history, as these are scheduled items on CR-Vs of this vintage regardless of MOT findings.