2005 Honda Jazz 1.3L Petrol · CE05 WDP

A 21-year-old Honda Jazz with this MOT profile presents a fundamentally mixed roadworthiness picture, anchored by a single component failure in late 2020 that was rectified at the same test, but with two specific advisory clusters that warrant closer scrutiny. The most recent test on 28 April 2022 recorded a pass with only two advisories: a child seat obscuring inspection of the nearside front adult belt, and a central rear exhaust noted as having a minor leak of exhaust gases. The earlier 2020 episode involved a major failure for an offside rear fog lamp not emitting a steady red light, which was presumably replaced ahead of the retest on the same day, given the immediate pass recorded that same date. Beyond that one electrical defect, the broader pattern across 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 is notably clean, with five consecutive passes carrying no advisories at all. The recurring items to weigh are therefore the headlamp lens product film flagged on both sides in 2020 and the exhaust gas leak advisory from 2022, both of which sit on a known service item rather than structural integrity. The recorded mileage of 117,000 miles across roughly 21 years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 5,571 miles, which is low for the age of the vehicle. This figure is consistent with a car that has either been used primarily for short local journeys or has spent extended periods off the road. The testing record shows gaps, with no MOT entries between 2019 and 2020, and again between 2020 and 2022, which is typical of a vehicle that may have been SORNed or simply not presented annually. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature tends to produce less wear on high-mileage consumables such as brake discs, clutches and internal engine components, but it can accelerate degradation of rubber and plastic items that deteriorate with age regardless of use, including suspension bushes, drive gaiters, coolant hoses, and brake flex lines. Standing periods also place greater demand on the battery and can allow moisture to accumulate in the exhaust system, which is relevant given the minor leak advisory. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priorities on inspection are the items flagged in the advisories rather than speculative concerns. The central rear exhaust minor gas leak should be examined physically for signs of corrosion around the joint or silencer box, and the vehicle should be started from cold with attention paid to any change in exhaust note, ticking at the joint, or visible vapour at the rear silencer that exceeds normal condensation. The headlamp lens product film noted on both sides in 2020 warrants a check at night or in a dim garage to confirm light output has not deteriorated further, as oxidised polycarbonate lenses tend to progress with UV exposure and age. Given the 2020 rear fog lamp failure, the buyer should verify the lamp functions correctly on both switch positions, including whether the warning indicator behaves as expected. On the test drive, attention should be paid to suspension refinement, as low-mileage vehicles of this age often present with perished anti-roll bar bushes, top mount bearings and rear axle bushes that have hardened with age rather than worn with mileage. Listen for clonks over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed, and feel for any vagueness in the steering that could indicate worn front components. The brakes should be tested from higher speed for any pulsation through the pedal, which would indicate disc run-out, and for any pull to one side under firm application. Finally, because the vehicle has spent long intervals stationary, the cooling system should be pressurised or inspected for any signs of coolant weep at the radiator, thermostat housing and hoses, and the automatic or manual transmission should be checked for smooth engagement, as gear oils and transmission mounts degrade with age irrespective of mileage covered.