1991 Honda Concerto 1.6L Petrol · H498 FTT

A 35 year old Honda Concerto carrying documented structural corrosion to both rear outer sills represents the defining mechanical concern in this MOT history. The 2021 test recorded major defects for both the nearside and offside rear outer integral body structure, noting corrosion sufficient to significantly reduce assembly rigidity. Whether remedial repair or reinforcement has since been carried out is not recorded in the DVSA file, but a vehicle of this vintage showing sill section corrosion of that severity is a clear indicator that further examination of the body shell, jacking points, inner sills, rear wheel arches, and any structural outriggers is essential. On test, the car should be raised on a ramp and inspected for evidence of repair welding, filler panels, or patch plates; tapping with a light hammer will reveal whether the surrounding metal has thinned. The 2023 test returned a pass, but the only recorded item was a deteriorated offside outer drive shaft CV boot, which if left unaddressed will allow grease loss and eventual joint failure. The recorded mileage of 72,195 miles against a 1991 registration equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 2,063 miles, which is low for the age and suggests either limited use or significant periods off the road. The MOT record itself contains gaps that support this, with no recorded tests between the 2018 pass and the 2019 retest, and another notable gap between February 2021 and December 2021. Such intervals of inactivity are consistent with a vehicle that has either been laid up or used only intermittently, and on a car of this age prolonged standing can contribute to seized calipers, deteriorated brake hoses, perished suspension bushes, and moisture ingress into the exhaust system. The annual accumulation is in fact decreasing when one divides the mileage span, which combined with the body corrosion findings suggests the chassis has endured weathering rather than frequent road use, a typical profile for an older Concerto. Buyer inspection should be focused on the specific items flagged in the MOT file. The 2023 advisory concerning a minor exhaust gas leak, following repeated exhaust advisories across 2021 and 2022, including a major leak box failure that year, indicates the exhaust system has been a recurring weak point. On a cold start listen for hissing or a tickling sound from the centre box area and check for soot staining around joints. The 2019 advisories recorded pitted front brake discs and an offside front coil spring showing corrosion, both of which merit physical inspection by jacking each front corner and checking disc surface condition with a fingernail run across the face for lip and pitting, while the coil spring should be examined for flaking paint, surface pitting, or any signs of fracture. Test drive responses to monitor include brake pedal feel under firm pressure to detect binding calipers or judder from the worn discs, and any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over bumps which could indicate corroded spring seats or perished lower arm bushes. The persistent advisory on nearside front tyre perishing and cracking across three consecutive tests points to age related rubber deterioration rather than simply wear, particularly significant given the low mileage. Inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, particularly between the tread blocks, and check the DOT date stamps if any replacements have been fitted recently. The oil leak advisory recorded in 2019 has not reappeared in subsequent tests, which suggests either a slow seep that remained within tolerance or that remedial work was undertaken, but the engine bay should still be inspected for fresh oil residue on the sump, cam cover gasket, and rocker cover bolts. A final pre purchase check should involve raising the vehicle and methodically inspecting both rear inner and outer sills with a blunt probe, confirming the floor pan and chassis leg integrity, as the MOT recorded structural corrosion at a major defect level and any prospective purchase depends heavily on the quality and extent of subsequent repair work that lies outside the DVSA record.