2011 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel · LL60 RHJ

The defining mechanical feature of this CR-V is a mixed MOT record dominated by lighting and brake-related defects, with the two most recent tests showing a stabilising but imperfect trend. The 2026-07-23 test produced a clean pass with no defects recorded, which is the first advisory-free outcome in the sequence and suggests that the more serious issues identified at the 2024-09-11 test have been rectified. That earlier failure flagged both headlamp aim outputs as too low, an offside stop lamp inoperative, and both rear direction indicators showing incorrect colour, which collectively point to either a failing multi-function lighting unit or someone having replaced bulbs with non-specification items. Just one day later, on 2024-09-12, the vehicle was presented again and passed, with advisories relating to both front tyres being close to the legal limit and showing edge wear. The pattern indicates an owner who has addressed immediate safety defects but allowed minor wear items to accumulate before they became test-relevant. With 125,182 miles recorded over fifteen years, the CR-V averages roughly 8,345 miles annually, which sits comfortably within normal usage expectations for its age. The annual mileage progression appears broadly consistent rather than showing unusual gaps or surges, which reduces the likelihood of prolonged standing periods that would typically degrade braking components through corrosion or allow tyre sidewalls to perish from disuse. The recorded usage would generally be expected to produce wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes at an even pace, which is broadly consistent with the advisory and failure profile observed. The absence of mileage-related advisories concerning suspension components, fluid leaks, or exhaust corrosion is notable given the cumulative distance, although the under-trays noted at the 2025 test can mask corrosion on lower structures, including subframe, brake lines, and exhaust hangers. From a buyer's perspective, the priority areas for inspection are the braking system and the front tyres. The 2022-09-29 failure recorded both front and rear brake pads at less than 1.5 mm thickness, classed as dangerous, alongside significant wear on both front discs, which means that a full brake overhaul including caliper pins, pads, and discs was carried out relatively recently. On a test drive, listen for any binding caliper symptoms such as the vehicle pulling to one side under moderate braking or excessive heat radiating from a front wheel after a stop, and check for a soft or spongy pedal feel that could indicate degraded fluid or air ingress. Inspect the discs through the wheels for lipping or scoring and check pad material thickness visually if possible. The front tyres were flagged for edge wear at the 2024 test, so feel for steering pull or uneven front-end grip on a test drive, and inspect the inner and outer shoulders of both front tyres for feathering. Rear brake discs were noted as worn in 2022 but not excessively, so check the handbrake effectiveness on an incline and listen for any scraping or grinding from the rear under light braking, which would suggest pad material has dropped since the last recorded test. The rear direction indicator colour advisory at the 2024 failure, combined with the slightly discoloured indicator note in 2025, points towards lens degradation from UV exposure rather than bulb faults, so verify all indicator lenses are intact, secure, and emit an unambiguous amber light from a reasonable distance. The headlamp aim issue at the 2024 test could result from fatigued adjustment mechanisms or simply an owner adjusting for load, so on a test drive at night, check beam pattern on dipped beam against a flat wall and verify that the offside and nearside cut-offs are level and not dipping excessively. Finally, given the rear tyre perishing advisories from 2022 and 2023, examine all four tyres closely for sidewall cracking, particularly on the rear pair, and check the age of any replacement rubber, as perished sidewalls can fail suddenly even when tread depth remains legal.