2016 Honda HR-V 1.5L Petrol · LS66 FFY

The most recent DVSA examination on 22 July 2026 returned a PASS, although it was achieved only one day after a prior failure on 21 July 2026 that had identified a fractured offside rear coil spring as a Major defect. That item was clearly rectified before the subsequent pass, and the only issue recorded at the second attempt was a minor windscreen scratch, which is non-structural and does not affect the driver's view. Two advisories remain on file from this 2026 cycle: front brake pads reported as wearing thin, and a nearside rear tyre noted as worn close to the legal limit. Looking at the broader pattern, the vehicle passed cleanly in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, but the 2025 test introduced a Major washer jet defect along with headlamp aim advisories, and the 2026 cycle escalated to a fractured rear spring. The trend is therefore one of gradually accumulating wear-related issues rather than a stable or improving maintenance picture, consistent with a chassis and brake consumables reaching the latter portion of their service life. The recorded mileage of 84,302 miles over approximately ten years equates to an annual average of around 8,430 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and is neither unusually high nor indicative of long-term standing. There is no evidence of any significant mileage gaps or sudden accumulation in the recorded figures. At this kind of mileage, mechanical wear on suspension components, brake discs, clutches (if manual), and drivetrain parts will be moderate but progressive, and routine servicing of age-sensitive items such as cambelt if applicable, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission oil should have been completed at least once and ideally twice during the vehicle's life. The relatively even accumulation of miles suggests the car has been used regularly rather than left idle, which generally helps preserve components such as brake discs, callipers, and tyres from corrosion-related seizure. The repeated advisory for front brake pads wearing thin, now appearing across both the 2025 and 2026 tests, indicates that pad replacement is genuinely imminent and should be budgeted for as part of any purchase. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for any high-pitched squeal on light braking or a metallic grinding noise under heavier application, both of which would suggest the pads have worn past the warning indicator and possibly into the disc surface. Uneven pedal feel, vibration through the pedal, or a soft or spongy response could indicate worn or warped front discs, which on a vehicle of this mileage may also be approaching replacement thickness. The nearside rear tyre advisory from 2026 indicates the remaining tread is close to the legal minimum, so all four tyres should be physically inspected for remaining tread depth, sidewall cracking or perishing, and even wear across the tread face, as uneven wear can point to misalignment, suspension wear, or inflation issues. The fractured offside rear coil spring identified in 2026 is an important point of inspection, as it may indicate that the nearside rear spring is also approaching the end of its fatigue life, given that these components are replaced in pairs due to symmetrical wear. On a test drive over uneven roads, listen for any clonking or knocking from the rear suspension, particularly over speed humps or rough surfaces, and check that the vehicle sits level when parked on flat ground. Both rear shock absorbers should also be assessed for any fluid seepage, and the suspension bushes inspected for splitting or perishing. In addition to the test-related items, given the vehicle's age, the buyer should verify the age and condition of the 12V battery, check the date codes on tyres to confirm they are not aged out despite legal tread, and confirm evidence of recent brake fluid and coolant changes. The headlamp aim advisories from 2025 may indicate previous bulb replacement or a load-carrying issue, so a simple check that both beams are correctly aligned against a wall should also be carried out. Finally, evidence of a stamped service book, ideally with Honda main dealer or reputable specialist history, would provide useful confirmation that the timing chain, oil changes, and fluid services have been maintained in accordance with manufacturer schedules.