2009 Honda Civic 1.8L Petrol · FX09 WLL

A Civic of this vintage carrying such a slender defect record across eight tests is notable, though the most recent assessment on 30 March 2026 was not entirely straightforward: the vehicle initially failed on that date due to a non-functioning nearside side repeater lamp and a slightly damaged obligatory nearside front mirror, before passing the same day once the lighting defect was rectified. The mirror remains recorded as a minor item at the time of the pass. Otherwise, the roadworthiness picture is largely unblemished, with three entirely clean tests in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and only one recurring advisory, an offside rear tyre noted for damage, cracking or perishing in both 2025 and 2026. That single, persistent advisory on the same corner of the car is the only pattern worth flagging, and there is no history of brake, suspension, exhaust, corrosion or structural advisories anywhere in the record. With 84,212 miles recorded against a 2009 registration, the vehicle has averaged roughly 4,950 miles per year, which is well below typical figures for a car of this age and indicates either sustained light use or extended periods off the road. There are no large gaps in the testing sequence and the annual mileage has clearly remained low and consistent rather than spiking, so the wear profile will be skewed towards age-related deterioration rather than mileage-driven wear on the clutch, engine internals or brake friction material. The mechanical implications are reasonably favourable for the drivetrain and major friction components, but historically low-mileage or irregularly used examples can still present issues around perished rubber, dried seals and surface corrosion on underbody components, even where no such items have yet been formally recorded. For the prospective buyer, the priority on inspection is the persistent offside rear tyre condition. The fact that the same tyre has been flagged in two consecutive tests suggests that perishing has either continued to develop or that the advisory has been carried forward without replacement, and the tread depth and sidewall integrity of all four tyres should be physically measured and inspected for cracking, bulges or uneven wear. A test drive should include firm braking from moderate speed to confirm there is no pulling, judder or binding caliper behaviour, particularly given the low annual mileage which can encourage seized rear caliper slides, and the car should be driven over uneven road surfaces to listen for clonks, knocking or wandering from the front and rear suspension, both of which have not yet been formally flagged but are typical failure points on a Civic of this generation. Finally, although the MOT record does not record any advisories relating to the underbody, the buyer should still carry out a visual check for surface corrosion on suspension arms, subframe mounting points and brake pipes, as the DVSA test only requires structural assessment where corrosion is visible at test time and a low-mileage vehicle kept outdoors can develop hidden oxidation. The nearside front mirror housing should be confirmed as securely mounted and free from sharp edges that could cause further recording at the next test, and all exterior lighting including side repeaters, indicators and number plate lamps should be checked for correct function before purchase.