2005 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel · DN05 FCF

The most recent DVSA examination on 28 October 2025 resulted in a Pass, but the test record carries several advisories and a minor defect that warrant careful attention. Reviewing the pattern over the last five years, the maintenance trend is broadly stable but with a clear and persistent theme around rear suspension component corrosion and front suspension wear. The vehicle failed its October 2023 test on both nearside and offside rear suspension mounting areas due to excessive corrosion that significantly reduced structural strength, yet it subsequently passed on both sides in 2025 with corrosion described as not considered excessive. This suggests the corrosion has been managed, treated, or possibly repaired between tests, although the underlying area remains an ongoing watch point. Repeated advisories on suspension components and ball joint dust covers, alongside the latest advisory on rear brake pads wearing thin, indicate that suspension and brake consumables are being monitored rather than fully rectified. With 156,470 miles recorded over 21 years, this Honda CR-V averages approximately 7,451 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its vintage and suggests regular use rather than extended periods of standing. There are no large mileage gaps in the visible record, and the accumulation rate appears consistent, meaning wear-related deterioration is more likely to follow predictable mechanical patterns rather than the more aggressive issues associated with calendar-age degradation in low-use vehicles. Nonetheless, at this mileage the engine, transmission, and drivetrain will have accrued substantial wear, and any service history documentation should be carefully cross-referenced against the recorded odometer readings to confirm continuity of maintenance such as timing belt replacement, which is a known critical interval item on engines of this era. Given the recurring front suspension ball joint dust cover deterioration, first flagged in 2020 and again in 2025 on both sides, prospective buyers should physically inspect the lower suspension arms for split or perished rubber boots, as once moisture and grit ingress occurs the joint itself wears rapidly. A test drive over uneven surfaces or speed humps should be undertaken with the audio systems switched off to listen for clonking or knocking from the front end, which would indicate worn bushes or ball joints. Similarly, the rear suspension mounting corrosion history demands a thorough visual inspection of the inner rear wheel arches, strut towers, and trailing arm mountings using a torch, looking for bubbling paint, flaking metal, or any evidence of recent welding or underseal treatment that could mask deeper structural concerns. On the road, any feeling of vagueness through the rear axle over bumps, or irregular tyre wear across the rear pair, would suggest the corrosion has advanced beyond what the advisory wording implies. Beyond the documented advisories, the current advisory on rear brake pads wearing thin means the pads are approaching the limit and will require replacement imminently, while the noted oil leak, though described as not excessive, should be monitored for worsening. Brake pedal feel should be checked for firmness, and a visual inspection of the rear discs for lipping or corrosion should be carried out, especially given that the nearside rear tyre was noted as worn close to the legal limit in 2024. The non-functioning front fog lamp is a simple electrical fix but worth verifying before purchase. Given the age and mileage, it would also be prudent to check the 12V battery state of health, as units of this vintage frequently suffer from degraded capacity, and to confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable have been changed within their recommended calendar intervals, as fluids degrade with time irrespective of mileage. Tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing common to older rubber compounds, and the exhaust system should be inspected for corrosion at the mounting points and joints, all standard age-related concerns for a CR-V of this standing.