2002 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol · LD52 TBO

A clean DVSA record with no advisories or failures on file points to a vehicle that has consistently met minimum roadworthiness standards, though the limited testing window leaves much of its mechanical story untold. The most recent test on 4 November 2021 was a straightforward pass with no defects recorded, which is encouraging but only covers a single snapshot roughly five years before the present date. For a 2002 Honda CR-V now 24 years old, the absence of any advisory history is unusual and likely reflects gaps in testing rather than an absence of wear, given the age and complexity of the components involved. Any prospective buyer should treat this single pass as the baseline only, not as a comprehensive picture of the vehicle's condition. With 142,853 miles recorded against 24 years of age, the average annual accumulation is around 5,952 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage. This figure suggests either genuinely light use or, more probably given the typical lifespan of test records, extended periods where the car was off the road, unrecorded in the MOT history, or otherwise inactive. There is also a significant testing gap, with the only MOT entry on file dating back to late 2021, meaning the intervening years carry no official verification of roadworthiness whatsoever. Mechanically, low annual mileage on a vehicle of this age often correlates with deterioration of rubber components, seals, and gaskets that fail through age rather than use, alongside potential issues from standing, such as dried brake fluid, perished coolant hoses, and stale fuel system components. Given the age of the vehicle and the complete absence of any advisory records to draw upon, a physical inspection must focus on the areas most likely to have degraded since manufacture. The CR-V's rear suspension multi-link setup, front lower control arms, and anti-roll bar bushes are known wear points and should be checked for perished rubber, cracking, or play by rocking the wheels with the vehicle raised. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed, and pay attention to any vagueness or knocking through the steering, which would indicate worn tie rod ends or top mounts. The rear wheel bearings are another known concern on this generation and can manifest as a drone that changes with cornering loads. Brake feel should be tested for firmness on the first application after the vehicle has been standing, as a spongy pedal or one that requires pumping suggests seized caliper sliders or deteriorated flexible brake hoses, which are common on a 24-year-old car regardless of mileage. Inspect the underbody carefully for corrosion on the rear trailing arm mounting points, subframe, and brake pipe runs, paying particular attention to the underseal condition as Honda CR-Vs of this era are not immune to structural rust where salt accumulates. On the engine side, check for oil misting around the valve cover gasket, which hardens with age, and verify that the cooling system has been refreshed, as the original radiator and hoses will be well past their intended service life. Finally, confirm the VTM-4 rear coupling operation and listen for any binding or jerking under slow-speed tight steering, as the rear differential assembly is a known wear item on these vehicles.