2016 Honda Civic 1.6L Diesel · FL16 VLS

This Honda Civic’s roadworthiness record exhibits a concerning trend of recurring brake and tyre failures, despite passing its most recent MOT on 2025-10-20 at 104,233 miles. The October 2025 failure just two days earlier—with rear brake pads at critical 1.5mm thickness, an inoperative MIL, and a repeat of the 2024 rear tyre nail issue—suggests either deferred maintenance or inconsistent servicing. The 2024 tests alone reveal five distinct failures in a single cycle, including front and rear brake wear, headlamp defects, and two tyres running dangerously close to the legal limit. While the 2023 test passed, it recorded a persistent nail in the offside rear tyre and tread wear on both front tyres, indicating a long-standing neglect of basic upkeep. The pattern of repeated failures on brakes and tyres—components that degrade predictably with mileage—implies either a lack of proactive maintenance or a history of short-term ownership where long-term care was overlooked. The mileage progression of roughly 10,400 miles annually aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age, though the irregular spacing of tests—particularly the 12-month gap between 2023 and 2024—raises questions about whether the car was driven consistently or stood unused. The 2024 failure at 93,562 miles, just two days after passing at 93,564 miles, suggests the test may have been rushed or that critical components were already compromised. No MOT records exist between 2025 and now, meaning the vehicle has not undergone official inspection for nearly a year—an unusually long period for a car with this level of prior faults. This absence of recent testing compounds the uncertainty around whether unresolved issues (such as the 2025 MIL fault or the 2024 nail in the tyre) have been addressed. A buyer should prioritise an immediate, thorough inspection of the braking system, particularly the rear calipers and pads, given the repeated failures and the 2025 advisory for an inoperative MIL. The presence of a nail in the offside rear tyre in both 2023 and 2024 suggests either repeated punctures or a failure to replace the tyre, which could indicate structural weakness or improper inflation history. All four tyres should be scrutinised for uneven wear, edge damage, or internal corrosion, as the 2024 failure noted a rear tyre worn to the edge—a condition that compromises grip and handling. The suspension bushes and coil springs, while not explicitly failed, warrant inspection for excessive play or corrosion, especially given the car’s age and the lack of recent servicing. Finally, the 2025 MIL fault demands verification; an active check engine light or stored fault codes would indicate unresolved engine or emissions-related issues that could escalate into more serious problems.