2009 Honda Civic 2.2L Diesel · FV09 NSO

The most recent MOT recorded on 16 June 2023 resulted in a failure, with major defects recorded for the engine management indicator lamp, the nearside front windscreen wiper, the off‑side front position lamp, the off‑side rear stop lamps and the nearside rear registration‑plate lamp. An advisory was also noted that the front brake discs show a very slight lip and the pads are just under half‑worn. This marks a clear deterioration from the previous years where the majority of tests were passed with only minor lighting or anti‑roll‑bar wear advisories, indicating that the vehicle’s maintenance and component reliability have begun to decline. At 189 254 miles the car has averaged roughly 11 100 miles per year over its 17‑year life. This is a typical usage pattern for a family hatchback of this age, neither excessively high nor unusually low. The mileage suggests that wear on consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres and suspension components will be in line with normal calendar and distance degradation, but the recent high‑mileage figure also means that any latent corrosion or fatigue in the chassis, engine mounts or drivetrain should be checked carefully. Given the recurring lighting failures and the recent engine MIL fault, a prospective buyer should verify that all exterior lamps operate correctly – confirm that the front position lamp, rear stop lamps, registration‑plate lamp and side‑repeaters illuminate without flicker, and that the wiper clears the windscreen effectively. A diagnostic scan should be performed to read any stored fault codes associated with the engine management system; intermittent MIL illumination can indicate sensor faults, ignition coil wear or emissions‑related issues that may become costly. On a test drive listen for any irregularities in engine idle, check for a lack of power under load, and watch for warning lights. The brake system warrants close inspection: measure the front disc thickness against the manufacturer’s minimum, and assess pad wear visually; the advisory about a slight lip suggests the discs are approaching the end of their service life and replacement may be required within the next few thousand miles. Examine the anti‑roll‑bar linkage and track‑rod end dust covers for cracks or missing material, and feel for any clunk or play in the front suspension when steering through tight corners, which would indicate worn bushings or ball joints that should be replaced before they cause alignment drift. In addition to the specific defects, the age of the vehicle means time‑based items should be scrutinised. Check the tyre sidewalls for cracking, dry rot or uneven wear that can arise from prolonged storage, and verify that the tread depth meets the legal minimum. Inspect the 12 V battery for corrosion on terminals and test its cranking voltage, as batteries over ten years old often lose capacity. Examine the engine oil, coolant and brake fluid for colour and level; fluids degrade with time even if mileage is modest, so a complete fluid change is advisable if service records are incomplete. Finally, confirm that the service book shows regular oil changes and that any major services, such as timing‑belt replacement (if applicable to this model), have been logged – missing evidence may require a pre‑purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic to avoid unexpected failures.