2002 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol · FE02 XEX

A consistently clean MOT record defines this twenty-four-year-old Honda CR-V, with the most recent test on 8 April 2026 returning a pass and no advisories whatsoever. Across the last five recorded tests spanning 2023 to 2026, the only blemish is a single failure dated 4 April 2024, which is listed without any recorded defects, strongly suggesting an administrative refusal to issue a certificate rather than a mechanical non-compliance at the time of test. The absence of recurring advisories for corrosion, suspension components, brake lines, or exhaust integrity across multiple consecutive passes is notable for a vehicle of this vintage and indicates a structurally sound example. The trend over the documented period is one of stable roadworthiness, with no deteriorating pattern of component wear flagged by the DVSA tester. Mileage accumulation stands at 161,905 miles across roughly twenty-four years, equating to an annual average of around 6,746 miles, which is broadly consistent with typical private use for a CR-V of this generation. There are no extended gaps in the testing history that would imply long periods off the road with potential deterioration of underbody components, fuel system seals, or brake hydraulic circuits from standing. Equally, the mileage does not suggest the high-rate wear pattern often associated with predominantly motorway or commercial use, where suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, and drivetrain mounts tend to suffer accelerated fatigue. The relatively gentle annual accumulation supports the assumption that consumable wear should track proportionally to the modest usage rather than being concentrated from heavy commercial mileage. Despite the clean paper trail, a buyer should remain mindful of the components most commonly subject to wear on a CR-V of this age and mileage even when not yet flagged on an MOT. Particular attention should be paid to the rear trailing arm bushings, front lower arm compliance bushes, and anti-roll bar drop links, which are known wear items on this chassis and typically manifest as clonking over speed humps or vague, wandering steering on uneven surfaces. On a test drive, listen for any knock from the front suspension over potholes, feel for binding or judder under braking that might suggest front caliper slider seizure, and check for any pull to one side that could indicate a tired front strut or unevenly worn tyres masking an alignment issue. Inspect the underside carefully for any bubbling or flaking corrosion around the rear subframe mounting points, suspension turrets, and around the wheel arches, as structural rust is the principal reason otherwise sound older CR-Vs fail their MOT. Given that the car is now well into its mid-twenties, it is also prudent to budget for preventative replacement of items that fall outside MOT scope but affect long-term reliability, such as the timing belt and water pump service interval, ageing engine mountings, and the condition of the V-TEC solenoid gasket. Verify that the air conditioning system still functions, as condenser corrosion on early-2000s Hondas is common. Check for any signs of automatic gearbox flare on kickdown, and on the test drive confirm that the viscous coupling or rear differential engages smoothly without excessive binding on tight turns, which would indicate wear in the rear drive system. The clean DVSA record provides a solid foundation of roadworthiness, but a thorough pre-purchase inspection beneath the car and on a lift remains essential given the mileage and age.