2009 Honda Civic 1.3L Petrol · LM59 LBP

The 2009 Honda Civic presents a stable but watchful maintenance picture following its most recent MOT pass on 27 August 2025 at 119,804 miles. The tester flagged a light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber, a defect that has persisted as an advisory since at least June 2024. This is not a failure, but a slow-developing oil seep that warrants monitoring. The vehicle passed its latest test cleanly apart from this single advisory, suggesting the overall mechanical condition is sound and the maintenance trend is broadly stable rather than deteriorating. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 7,047 miles per year, which is typical for a 17-year-old car. The record shows steady annual use with no alarming gaps or sudden jumps. Between the June 2023 pass at 109,327 miles and the August 2025 pass at 119,804 miles, the car covered approximately 10,477 miles over just over two years, confirming consistent regular use. The MOT history itself is reasonably well documented with annual tests, though a buyer should note the car was tested twice in June 2024, failing on the third of that month before retesting and passing on the same date, indicating prompt rectification of lighting and headlamp aim faults. The recurring nearside front shock absorber advisory is the most significant pattern in this record. A light misting of oil suggests the damper seal is beginning to weep, a common age-related condition on Civics of this generation. Left unchecked, this can progress to reduced damping efficiency and uneven tyre wear. The June 2023 failure for a rough offside front wheel bearing also deserves attention, as that component was replaced or repaired before the subsequent pass, but a buyer should listen for any humming or grinding from the front end on a test drive. The repeated tyre-related advisories and failures, including tread below 1.6mm and worn edges, point to a history of uneven wear that may indicate suspension geometry issues or simply deferred tyre replacements. A prospective buyer should inspect the front suspension closely, checking for play in the wheel bearings, deterioration of the lower suspension bushes, and any visible corrosion on the suspension turrets or subframe. The exhaust system and underside should be examined for rust, particularly around the rear mounting points and brake lines, as these are known weak points on 2009 Civics. Brake disc thickness and pad condition should be verified given the mileage, and a road test at varying speeds will confirm whether the shock absorber seep has progressed to a point where ride quality is compromised.