2009 Honda Civic 2.2L Diesel · DA09 DHU

The 2009 Honda Civic currently holds no valid MOT certificate, having failed its most recent test on 19 November 2021 at 141,663 miles. The maintenance trend over the past five years is clearly worsening. Two separate defects were recorded in that final test, both relating to the braking system. The ABS warning lamp was illuminated, indicating an active fault within the anti-lock braking system, and the parking brake failed to meet minimum efficiency requirements. These are not minor advisories; both are reasons for immediate failure and point to a braking system that was not maintained to a roadworthy standard at the time of the test. The car has remained untested for nearly five years since that failure, meaning its current mechanical condition is entirely unverified. The mileage pattern tells a particularly important story. Between the November 2020 pass at 123,397 miles and the November 2021 failure at 141,663 miles, the car covered 18,266 miles in a single year. That is more than double the car's lifetime average of roughly 8,333 miles per year and significantly higher than the preceding annual intervals. Such a sharp increase in a short period suggests intensive use, possibly including long-distance motorway driving, which places elevated stress on brakes, suspension bushes, drivetrain components, and cooling systems. Equally concerning is the five-year gap with no recorded MOT since November 2021. The car may have been sitting stationary for much of that time, which introduces its own risks including deteriorated brake calipers, corroded brake discs, perished rubber bushes, and degraded tyres. A buyer should treat this vehicle as unroadworthy until proven otherwise. The two braking defects from 2021 need thorough diagnosis. The ABS fault could stem from a wheel speed sensor, a damaged reluctor ring, or a failing ABS pump module, and the parking brake deficiency may point to seized cables, worn rear brake shoes or pads, or binding calipers. Given the five-year testing gap, a full inspection of all brake components is essential, including checking for corrosion on brake discs and pipes, particularly if the car has been standing. The rear brakes deserve specific attention given the parking brake failure. Beyond the braking system, the high mileage accumulated in that single 2020–2021 period warrants a close inspection of suspension bushes, coil springs, drop links, and track rod ends. Tyre condition should be checked carefully, as the car previously failed on tyre wear in 2018 and the current tread and sidewall condition is unknown after years without a test. A full underbody inspection for structural corrosion is also advisable, particularly on a vehicle of this age that has been stationary for an extended period. The car should not be driven on public roads until a fresh MOT confirms it meets minimum safety standards.