2012 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel · AV62 OAA

A clear pattern of underbody and rear-corrosion advisories has developed across the MOT history of this 2012 Honda CR-V, with exhaust and rear suspension mounting areas repeatedly flagged from 2022 onwards and ultimately contributing to a Major failure in August 2026. The most recent test on 5 August 2026 recorded a Pass, but only two days after a previous attempt failed on a perished nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover, accompanied by advisories for corrosion on both rear strut/spring prescribed areas and a heavily corroded centre-to-rear exhaust flange. Earlier passes in 2025, 2024 and 2023 each carried advisories for the rear silencer joint, and the 2025 test added worn nearside rear tyre and corroded rear shock absorber casings to the growing list. A prior advisory-free pass in 2021 shows the deterioration has been gradual rather than sudden, but the cumulative corrosion picture on a fourteen-year-old vehicle is now the dominant mechanical theme. Recorded mileage of 99,615 miles across roughly seven tests since 2021 equates to a fairly typical annual accumulation for the age, with no evidence of prolonged off-road periods or unusually large mileage jumps between tests. The consistent year-on-year testing pattern suggests the vehicle has remained in regular use, which mechanically means that routine wear items such as suspension bushes, brake components and tyres have accumulated normal service life. However, the recurring rear-corrosion advisories combined with the visible wear on suspension components indicates that chassis and underbody components are reaching an age where deterioration accelerates, particularly on a CR-V of this generation where rear strut mounting corrosion is a known weak point. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on the rear suspension struts and their spring mounting platforms, as both sides have now been flagged for prescribed-area corrosion. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces, particularly single bumps and undulating roads, which would indicate the strut tops have loosened within the corroded mountings. Check visually that the strut tops sit flush against the body, and feel for any rear-end instability or vagueness over dips. The anti-roll bar linkage failure on the nearside front should prompt a check of both front drop links for perished or split dust boots, and any rattling or knocking from the front end over bumps would warrant replacement. Given the front-end components were the only Major failure, the linkage may have been renewed, but verify the work and inspect the offside link as a precaution. The exhaust system warrants close scrutiny from beneath the vehicle, as the centre-to-rear flange and rear silencer joint have been flagged across multiple tests. On the test drive, listen for blowing or ticking noises from underneath, particularly on overrun, and check for soot deposits around flange joints. Brake feel should also be assessed, given the age and mileage, with any pulling to one side, vibration through the pedal, or a soft spongey pedal noted as concerns. Tyres should be inspected for both tread depth and any uneven wear, given the 2025 advisory for edge wear on the nearside rear, which can point to rear axle alignment or suspension geometry issues aggravated by worn bushes. Finally, a thorough inspection of the underbody for any fresh corrosion, particularly around subframe mounting points, brake pipe runs and fuel lines, is strongly advised given the established corrosion trend.