2004 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol · LB53 WGC

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a clear decline in mechanical condition and preventative upkeep. While it achieved a clean result in February 2024, the most recent inspection in January 2026 revealed multiple failures, including critical suspension and braking issues. The transition from a zero-defect record to a failure involving serious leaks and binding brakes suggests that the vehicle is now entering a period where reactive repairs are becoming necessary over consistent maintenance. At 135,671 miles over 22 years, the car has averaged approximately 6,167 miles per year. This low mileage profile is consistent with light-use patterns for its age. However, there is a notable gap in maintenance quality between February 2024 and January 2026, during which the vehicle covered 4,711 miles. The low annual mileage does not insulate the vehicle from age-related degradation, as evidenced by the perishing rubber components and deteriorating ball joints noted in the more recent tests. A physical inspection must prioritize the front suspension and braking system. The record flags a serious fluid leak on the offside front shock absorber and a deteriorated lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover. The buyer should verify if these have been replaced since the January 2026 failure. Furthermore, the nearside front service brake was noted as excessively binding, which requires a thorough check of the caliper and slider pins to prevent uneven tyre wear or future failure. Final attention should be paid to the tyres and lighting. The history shows recurring issues with the offside rear tyre cracking and a previous failure for insufficient tread depth, indicating that the rubber components are reaching the end of their lifespan. The headlamp alignment and inoperative registration lamp suggest that basic electrical and alignment checks have not been consistently addressed prior to the MOT appointments.