2016 Honda Civic 1.6L Diesel · BN66 FVB

Chronic brake and tyre wear dominates the recorded MOT history of this 2016 Honda Civic, with every test from 2020 onwards carrying advisory or failure items centred on those two areas, suggesting a vehicle that is consuming consumables at a steady rate consistent with active road use. The most recent test on 2025-10-06 was a pass, but it surfaced advisory notes for an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its inner edge, a nearside rear tyre similarly worn on its outer edge, and the same nearside rear tyre showing perishing or cracking. Looking back, a Dangerous failure was recorded on 2021-10-13 for a nearside rear tyre with tread depth below 1.6mm, and the 2020, 2022, and 2024 tests each flagged tyres worn close to the limit, typically inner-edge wear on the fronts. Brake-related advisories have appeared at the 2023 and 2024 tests, with all four brake discs flagged as pitted or scored in 2023 and rear pads noted as wearing thin in both 2023 and 2024. The 2024 test also produced a failure for an ineffective offside front wiper and an illegible rear registration plate before passing later the same day, and front suspension arm bushes were flagged as worn but within tolerance. With 126,789 miles accumulated over roughly ten years, the annual rate works out at approximately 12,679 miles per year, which sits well above the average for a vehicle of this age and points to consistent, sustained use rather than long standing periods. The MOT testing history itself shows no significant gaps, with annual tests recorded every year from 2020 through 2025, which is consistent with a car kept in regular service on the road. This kind of mileage pattern does mean higher cumulative wear on the braking system, suspension components, tyres, clutch, and drivetrain, which aligns with the advisory-heavy record: brake discs and pads, suspension bushes, and tyres have all been flagged repeatedly. There are no long lay-up periods visible, so concerns around brake fluid moisture absorption, battery condition, or seized brake calipers from extended standing do not apply here. For a prospective buyer, the suspension arm bushes noted in the 2024 advisories are worth particular attention, as these are a known wear item on the front suspension of this generation of Civic and can deteriorate further between tests. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the steering, particularly under braking or when traversing undulating tarmac. Visually inspect both front lower arms and the bushes for cracking, splitting, or any visible movement when the wheel is levered by hand. Given the brake disc pitting flagged across all four corners in 2023, check for brake pedal judder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm stopping, and feel for any pulsing that suggests the discs have worn beyond the point of recovery. A thorough inspection of brake disc thickness with a micrometer is advisable, as pitted and scored discs have a reduced service life and may now be at or near the minimum thickness. The tyre situation also demands close scrutiny before purchase, as the pattern of inner-edge wear on the front tyres suggests a possible alignment or suspension geometry issue rather than simple tyre wear. Ask for an alignment printout or have the geometry checked, particularly camber, as persistent inner-edge wear across multiple tyre sets usually indicates an underlying cause that has not been resolved. Inspect all four tyres for uneven wear patterns, cracking, and sidewall damage, and verify that replacements are of the correct size and speed rating. Given that the 2021 test recorded a Dangerous tyre failure, confirming current tread depths across the full tread width with a gauge is essential rather than relying on visual inspection alone. Finally, the failed wiper and registration plate items from 2024 are cosmetic and functional checks that should have been rectified before the same-day pass, so confirm both are currently in proper working order during the viewing.