2007 Honda Civic 1.3L Hybrid electric · LB07 TMY

The most recent MOT outcome dated 20 April 2026 was a pass, although it is worth noting this followed an earlier failed test on the same date which addressed several significant defects. The vehicle achieved a pass only after rectification of dangerous and major items including a fractured offside rear anti-roll bar mounting bracket, a seriously weakened nearside rear anti-roll bar linkage, a non-functional front position lamp, and an inoperative offside rear stop lamp. The overall maintenance trend raises legitimate concern, as the car has now failed three MOT tests within the past three years, and the defects recorded are recurring rather than isolated. The front suspension arm pins or bushes have appeared as advisories on every test since 2023 and escalated to major excess wear in January 2025, while structural and sub-frame corrosion advisories have appeared on both 2026 entries. The vehicle is being maintained to a minimum compliance level rather than proactively, and a buyer should anticipate near-term suspension and structural work. The recorded mileage of 189,789 miles over approximately nineteen years equates to an annual usage of just under 10,000 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and suggests regular rather than sporadic driving. There are no large unexplained gaps in the mileage progression visible from the MOT readings, indicating the vehicle has been in consistent use throughout its life. While average annual mileage is modest in absolute terms, the cumulative wear on a vehicle approaching 190,000 miles is significant. Consumables such as clutch, dual-mass flywheel if applicable, engine and gearbox mounts, and drivetrain flex joints will have endured considerable accumulated stress, and the documented split constant velocity boot on the nearside front driveshaft from January 2025 confirms that mechanical wear items are now presenting with regularity. High overall mileage combined with calendar age also means age-related deterioration of rubber, plastic, and corrosion-prone components is advanced regardless of how gently the car was used. A prospective buyer should approach this Honda Civic with particular attention to the recurring suspension and corrosion advisories. The front lower suspension arm pins or bushes have been flagged at every test for over two years and were deemed excessive in January 2025, indicating that replacement is imminent if not already overdue; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking over speed humps and rough road surfaces, and feel for imprecise steering or wandering at motorway speeds. The rear anti-roll bar D bushes noted in 2023 and the fractured bracket and damaged linkage found in 2026 suggest the rear anti-roll bar assembly may have been compromised or repaired, and this area warrants a physical inspection on a ramp for play, perished bushes, and evidence of sub-standard repair. On a road test, pay attention to any uneven tyre wear across the axle, brake shudder under firm pedal application, and any pulling to one side which could indicate worn bushes allowing geometry shifts. Beyond the recorded defects, the chassis and bodywork advisories for both corrosion within 30cm of a mounting point and rear sub-frame corrosion are particularly relevant on a nineteen-year-old vehicle. These should be examined visually for any advancing rust, and particular care taken around jacking points, suspension turrets, and rear axle mounting locations, as progression beyond the current advisory level would constitute a failure. The recorded oil leak and exhaust gas leak from 2022 should be re-checked for any staining under the engine bay or soot deposits around exhaust joints, while the nearside rear tyre edge wear from 2025 suggests alignment may still be out or suspension geometry compromised. Finally, despite the modest annual mileage, calendar-aged items should not be overlooked; inspect the tyres closely for sidewall cracking and perishing regardless of tread depth, verify the 12V battery is holding charge as ageing batteries suffer from sulphation, and confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid if fitted have been replaced on a time basis rather than mileage alone, as fluids degrade chemically with age irrespective of use.