2004 Honda Civic 1.6L Petrol · HV54 OZX

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a concerning progression of structural corrosion and exhaust degradation. While the most recent test in April 2026 at 168,294 miles passed, it revealed a persistent minor exhaust leak and a repair to a suspension component mounting covered in underseal. This follows a pattern of corrosion noted in March 2025 where the offside rear inner suspension mounting was flagged, suggesting that the chassis integrity is beginning to succumb to rust despite previous undersealing. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 168,294 represents an average usage of approximately 7,650 miles per year, which is consistent with typical older vehicle patterns. The data shows steady use, with roughly 7,000 miles covered between March 2024 and March 2025, and another 7,400 miles covered in the following thirteen months. This regularity of operation suggests the vehicle has been used consistently, which helps prevent seizing components but contributes to the visible wear on rubber and metal parts. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the underbody to ensure the corrosion on the offside rear inner suspension mounting has not progressed beyond the repaired area. The recurring exhaust leak noted in both 2025 and 2026 indicates that the exhaust system is thinning and likely requires a section replacement in the near future. Additionally, the oil leak reported in 2025 should be monitored to ensure it remains non-excessive, and the offside front drive shaft CV boot should be checked for signs of premature tearing, as deteriorated boots often lead to expensive joint failure over time.