2004 Honda Civic 2.0L Petrol · LE04 CCZ

A pattern of front suspension wear and rear shock absorber deterioration runs through the MOT history of this 2004 Honda Civic, with additional advisories relating to rear brake condition and tyre wear appearing repeatedly across recent tests. The most recent outcome, a pass on 29 July 2026, came after a fail just 26 days earlier on 3 July 2026 caused by an inoperative near-side stop lamp and a minor registration plate lamp issue, neither of which affects the underlying mechanical condition. Looking at the broader picture, the 2025 test cycle recorded a fail for a non-functional dipped beam headlamp, alongside advisories for thinning rear brake pads, pitted rear brake discs and a worn front suspension arm bush. The 2020 test surfaced a minor defect on both front suspension arm ball joint dust covers, and rear shock absorber misting was flagged in both 2019 and 2020, suggesting these dampers have been on a slow decline for some years. Two clean passes in 2018 and 2021 sit within a record otherwise populated by advisories and minor defects, so the roadworthiness picture is functional rather than exemplary. With 132,123 miles recorded over 22 years, this Civic has averaged roughly 6,006 miles per year, which is a fairly typical accumulation for a car of its age. The notable feature of the mileage profile is the four-year gap between the 2021 pass and the 2025 reappearance for testing, which means no DVSA inspection evidence exists for the intervening period. A vehicle that returns to the road after several years untested can present issues that have developed without observation, particularly around brake component corrosion, fuel system deterioration, perished rubber seals, and stale fluids. The jump in mileage between tests cannot be reconstructed precisely from the available data, but the return-to-test event in 2025 produced advisories consistent with a car that had accrued some use rather than one that had been laid up entirely. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the front suspension, which has been the most consistently flagged area. The off-side front lower suspension arm bush was noted as worn in 2025, and both front ball joint dust covers were severely deteriorated in 2020. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate further progression of bush wear. Feel for vagueness or delay in steering response, and check for uneven front tyre wear, as the 2026 test recorded both rear tyres and the 2025 test both front tyres worn close to the legal limit, often a symptom of geometry drift from worn suspension components. The rear brake and shock absorber items warrant close physical inspection. The rear brake discs were recorded as pitted and scored in 2025, and rear pads were wearing thin, so check the discs for lipping and ridges on the outer edge and feel for judder under firm braking. The off-side rear shock absorber was noted as lightly misting with limited damping in both 2019 and 2020, indicating a persistent seal issue; bounce the rear of the car at each corner and count rebounds, with more than one and a half oscillations suggesting the damper is no longer effectively controlling the body. Finally, the headlamp and stop lamp defects recorded in 2025 and 2026 are worth verifying directly by walking around the vehicle with someone operating the switches, confirming all front and rear lighting functions before purchase.