2005 Honda FR-V 2.2L Diesel · CP55 AET

The MOT history for this 2005 Honda FR-V presents a notably sparse and clean record over the visible testing window, with five entries between 2022 and 2025 yielding just one failure. That failed test on 9 November 2024 was followed immediately by a pass on 12 November 2024, suggesting the defect was minor enough to be rectified within three days, although the absence of any recorded defect details on either the fail or the subsequent pass means the exact reason for the refusal cannot be determined from the records alone. Two further passes on 17 November 2023 and 23 November 2022, followed by the most recent pass on 8 November 2025 with no advisories or defects recorded, indicate a vehicle that has consistently met the minimum roadworthiness standard at each annual test. The clean sheet on the latest examination is a positive indicator for the immediate short term, though the lack of advisory notes across the entire visible history may simply reflect that items have not yet reached the threshold at which testers are required to comment, rather than confirming anything about the broader mechanical state of a 21-year-old car. With 145,070 miles accumulated over 21 years, the FR-V is averaging roughly 6,908 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and places it firmly in the moderate-use bracket. This level of annual mileage tends to keep consumables and fluids cycling regularly, which is generally beneficial for components such as the braking system, drivetrain, and exhaust, while still allowing gradual wear on suspension and rubber items. The absence of long gaps between tests suggests the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods, reducing the likelihood of issues associated with prolonged standing such as seized brakes, perished hoses, or dormant corrosion taking hold beneath the bodywork. For a prospective buyer, the absence of advisory data is a double-edged sword: it removes specific components to chase, but it also leaves blind spots on items that may be approaching but not yet at the advisory threshold. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to the suspension, as a six-year-old-plus set of front coil springs, dampers, and bushes at this mileage will commonly be approaching wear-out, with symptoms including clonks or knocks over speed humps, excessive body roll through corners, and uneven tyre wear on the inside shoulders. The rear torsion beam and its associated bushes should also be monitored for any lateral vagueness over bumps, while the steering should feel tight without any knocking or pulling, as worn track rod ends or drop links are common findings on higher-mileage Hondas of this era. The braking system warrants a thorough functional check despite the clean MOT sheet. At the test drive stage, the pedal should feel firm without excessive travel, and there should be no judder under heavy braking, which would indicate worn or warped front discs a common replacement item beyond 100,000 miles. The handbrake should hold the vehicle on a moderate incline without creeping, and any pulling to one side under braking would warrant investigation of a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection on a ramp is advisable to check for the onset of corrosion on the subframe, rear beam mounting points, and brake and fuel lines, areas where age rather than mileage is the dominant factor on a 21-year-old Japanese MPV and where structural issues could materially affect both safety and future test outcomes.