2009 Honda Civic 2.2L Diesel · LB58 KHC

A 2009 Honda Civic with this MOT record presents a clean three-year run of test outcomes, with the most recent pass on 23 July 2024 issuing no advisories and following identical clean results in 2023 and 2022 aside from one minor note. That single advisory from July 2022 recorded light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, an early-stage finding that typically indicates the beginning of seal degradation rather than an active hydraulic leak. Given that no further advisories relating to the front suspension, strut, or surrounding components have appeared in the two subsequent tests, the issue appears either to have stabilised or progressed very slowly. Overall, the test trend is stable and unremarkable, with no recorded failures, dangerous defects, or structural corrosion concerns across the documented period. The recorded mileage of 123,609 miles across approximately seventeen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 7,271 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and usage profile. There are no unusual gaps in the testing history and no sudden mileage jumps between recorded tests, suggesting consistent use rather than long periods off the road or erratic driving patterns. At this mileage, consumable wear on braking components, tyres, and certain suspension joints is expected, though the absence of any brake, tyre, or axle advisories across three consecutive tests indicates that wear items had not crossed advisory thresholds at the time of the last examination. Routine mechanical inspection of items such as engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and drive belts would still be prudent given the overall odometer reading, as MOT testing does not cover internal engine or drivetrain condition. For a prospective buyer, the primary component warranting close attention is the front suspension, specifically the offside front damper flagged in 2022. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front offside corner over uneven surfaces, speed humps, or when turning into driveways, which would suggest the damper has degraded internally or that the top mount or lower bush has loosened. Visually inspect the offside front strut for fresh oil residue running down the body of the shock or accumulating on the lower spring seat, and compare both front dampers for any difference in ride height or rebound behaviour. Additionally, given the mileage, the buyer should check for worn front anti-roll bar drop links, control arm bushes, and rear trailing arm bushes, none of which are specifically recorded but are commonly worn items on high-mileage Civics of this generation. Beyond the suspension, a thorough physical inspection should cover the underside of the vehicle for any corrosion on subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and the rear beam, as the MOT record does not explicitly comment on structural condition below the visible test items. Inspect the brake discs for lipping on the outer edges and check for any binding calipers, particularly at the rear, which can manifest as pulling to one side under braking or uneven pad wear. Listen for any whining from the wheel bearings on the test drive, particularly on a dual-carriageway run, and confirm that the clutch operation feels firm without slipping under load. Finally, although the MOT record is clean, verifying that the vehicle has been serviced at recommended intervals and inspecting the condition of the cambelt, if not visibly documented in the service book, is essential given that this generation of Civic uses a timing belt that requires periodic replacement.