2011 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel · PJ11 WVA

The 2011 Honda CR-V presents a mixed but ultimately concerning maintenance history, with its most recent MOT in June 2025—just over a year ago—showing a clean pass at 88,424 miles. However, the trend prior to that reveals a vehicle that has been neglected in critical areas, particularly with repeated suspension and tyre issues. The June 2024 failure stands out as a red flag, where a fractured headlamp levelling arm (a component rarely addressed unless visibly broken) was paired with near-legal tyre tread depths, suggesting basic upkeep was overlooked. Even the February 2024 pass highlighted worn suspension bushes on both front arms, a fault that resurfaced identically in February 2023, indicating either deferred repairs or inherent wear from light but uneven usage. While the latest test is reassuring, the pattern of deferred maintenance on core structural components—especially suspension integrity—demands closer scrutiny before purchase. The vehicle’s mileage of 88,424 over 15 years (around 5,900 miles annually) is unusually low, which typically signals either infrequent use or prolonged periods of disuse. The gap between the February 2023 test (71,768 miles) and the February 2024 test (82,448 miles) suggests roughly 10,680 miles were covered in a year—still modest but a slight uptick. More concerning is the rapid accumulation of 3,582 miles between July 2024 (failure) and June 2025 (pass), hinting at either a sudden increase in usage or a rushed attempt to meet a test deadline. The lack of intermediate MOTs in 2023 beyond February also raises questions about whether the vehicle was driven less frequently or simply not tested regularly, which could mask hidden wear. For a prospective buyer, the suspension system is the most urgent area of concern. The repeated advisories on front lower arm bushes—first noted in February 2023 and still present in February 2024—suggest these components are either worn beyond their service life or were never replaced. Binding or excessive movement in these bushes can compromise steering stability and tyre alignment, accelerating uneven tyre wear, which aligns with the edge-wear advisories seen on the front tyres. Beyond suspension, the fractured headlamp levelling arm in June 2024, while not a safety-critical failure, implies that even minor adjustments or repairs were deferred. A thorough inspection should include checking for corrosion in suspension mounts, verifying tyre condition beyond tread depth (including sidewall cracks), and assessing the overall structural integrity of the chassis for any signs of rust or impact damage from prolonged inactivity. The brakes were not flagged in any test, but the binding rear brakes noted in the June 2024 failure—despite not being repeated—warrant a closer look. Given the vehicle’s age and the history of deferred maintenance, a brake fluid flush and pad/disc inspection would be prudent. The exhaust system and emissions were also not mentioned, but the low mileage could mean reduced wear, though rust or leaks may still be present. Ultimately, while the latest MOT is clean, the vehicle’s history points to a lack of consistent preventive maintenance, making it a higher-risk purchase without immediate, professional mechanical verification.