2009 Honda Jazz 1.3L Petrol · LO58 AAE

A Honda Jazz of this vintage with one recorded MOT failure in seven tests might appear reassuring on first inspection, but the nature of that single failure in March 2023 was particularly severe and warrants careful attention from any prospective buyer. That test included two Major defects for excessive play in both front wheel bearings, a Major for a rear shock absorber that no longer functioned correctly, and a Dangerous failure for an offside rear brake pad that had worn below 1.5 mm thick the minimum legal limit. The Dangerous categorisation is significant, as it represents the most serious defect classification in the MOT system and indicates the vehicle would have been prohibited from being driven away from the test station until repaired. The vehicle subsequently passed three consecutive tests from March 2024 through March 2026 with no advisories recorded, which demonstrates that the underlying issues were addressed, though it does not confirm the quality or longevity of those repairs. The latest recorded test on 10 March 2026 shows a pass with no defects, but the same date also records a failure for a non-functioning rear stop lamp and both front position lamps, which suggests the vehicle has not been driven on the public road since that date and may have been repaired offline without a retest being logged. Recorded mileage of 100,175 miles across seventeen years equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 5,893 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and indicates either extended periods of inactivity or genuinely limited use. The MOT record itself does not confirm which scenario applies, as there are no multi-year gaps in testing, with annual tests consistently recorded from 2021 through 2026, and an earlier test visible in 2022, suggesting the vehicle has been maintained on the road continuously. A low-mileage usage pattern of this nature typically results in greater stress on certain components such as brake discs, which can develop corrosion through lack of use, and suspension bushes and ball joints, which can deteriorate through standing rather than wearing out gradually. The fact that brake and suspension components required replacement in 2023 is consistent with age-related deterioration rather than high-mileage wear, and a buyer should anticipate that further rubber and compliance-related components may be approaching the end of their service life. Given the documented history of front wheel bearing and rear shock absorber replacement, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the current condition of the suspension and braking systems during any inspection. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front wheels when turning at low speed or traversing speed bumps, as this can indicate renewed wheel bearing wear or degraded suspension components. The brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without excessive travel, and any judder or vibration through the steering wheel during braking may suggest warped brake discs, which is a common issue on low-mileage vehicles that have experienced periods of standing. Inspect the rear shock absorbers for any visible fluid leakage along the damper body and check that the vehicle sits level at the rear, as an uneven stance can indicate a failed damper or weak coil spring. Beyond the suspension and braking components specifically flagged in the 2023 test, the lighting defects recorded on the most recent failure warrant verification that the underlying cause has been correctly identified and resolved. The simultaneous failure of both front position lamps suggests a potential wiring, earth, or switch fault rather than simple bulb failure, and a buyer should confirm that all exterior lighting, including indicators, fog lamps, and number plate illumination, operates reliably. On a test drive, check that the stop lamps illuminate promptly when the brake pedal is pressed and confirm that the high-level brake lamp functions correctly. Finally, given the vehicle's age, a thorough inspection of the underbody, sill seams, wheel arches, and subframe mounting points for corrosion is advisable, as these areas are prone to rust on Jazz models of this generation and would not necessarily be flagged in an MOT test unless the corrosion had reached an advanced stage affecting structural integrity.