2009 Honda Civic 1.8L Petrol · OY09 PMX

A pattern of chronic suspension and brake wear advisories, punctuated by brake and shock absorber failures, dominates the MOT history of this 2009 Honda Civic. Across the recorded tests, nearside and offside front shock absorbers have repeatedly been flagged for light oil misting, first noted on the nearside in 2021 and the offside in 2022, before culminating in a dangerous failure in October 2023 when the nearside front shock was found to have a serious fluid leak. The October 2025 test outcome was a pass with no defects recorded, but this follows a same-day failure for a non-functioning nearside front position lamp, and a string of advisories from earlier tests point to a chassis that is steadily developing corrosion around the rear suspension mounting areas on both sides, noted in both 2023 and 2024. The 2023 dangerous brake pad failure on the nearside rear, combined with repeated advisories on rear brake disc wear from 2022 and 2023, suggests the braking system has required sustained attention throughout this period. Front tyres were also flagged for edge wear in 2024, and a nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was noted with slight play and a perished dust cover during the same test. With 119,067 miles recorded against an age of around seventeen years, this Civic has averaged roughly 7,000 miles per year, a relatively modest figure that is fairly typical for a vehicle of this vintage. The MOT testing cadence has been consistent on an annual basis, with no extended gaps or periods off the road, indicating the car has remained in regular use throughout the recorded history. This steady annual accumulation should mean general mechanical wear is proportionate to mileage rather than aggravated by long periods of inactivity, though the recurring advisories on suspension bushes, dampers, brake components, and chassis corrosion are characteristic of a car now entering the later stages of its service life where structural and dynamic components begin to demand more frequent intervention. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension, especially the condition of the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, given the 2024 advisory noting slight play and a dust cover no longer preventing ingress of dirt on the nearside. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or rattle through the steering. The shock absorbers warrant a careful assessment too; push down firmly on each corner and release, checking that the car settles without bouncing more than once or twice, and listen for any hiss or uneven damping, particularly on the nearside front where the serious fluid leak was recorded. Rear ride quality should be evaluated with the chassis corrosion advisories in mind, paying attention to any knocking from the rear suspension over bumps, which could indicate the corroded mounting areas have worsened since the last recorded inspection. The braking system should be tested with the recorded brake pad and disc wear in mind, including a firm pedal application at low speed to check for judder or pull to one side, which could indicate warped discs or a binding caliper. Inspect the rear brake pads through the wheels to confirm they have been replaced since the dangerous failure in 2023, and check the discs for a pronounced lip on the outer edge. The headlamp lenses, recorded as slightly defective in 2024, should be examined for any signs of clouding or moisture ingress that could affect light output, and all exterior lamps, including the position lamp and side repeaters that caused previous failures, should be verified as functioning. Finally, with this Civic now seventeen years old and showing progressive advisories on chassis corrosion, it is worth inspecting the rear suspension mounting areas and the floor pans for any visible rust that may have advanced beyond the not considered excessive threshold noted in earlier tests.