2016 Honda CR-V 1.6L Diesel · PL16 OSE

This 2016 Honda CR-V presents a generally solid MOT record across seven tests from 2019 to 2025, though its roadworthiness history is not without blemishes. The most recent test on 18 August 2025 was a pass with a single minor defect for an inoperative nearside registration plate lamp, continuing a broadly upward trajectory in which the vehicle has not failed an MOT since the earlier 2023 attempt. That earlier failure on the same date in August 2023 was driven by a non-functional offside front windscreen washer jet and deteriorating wiper blades, but the vehicle passed a retest on the same day once the washer was addressed. Two clean passes with no defects recorded in 2022 and 2021, alongside an unblemished 2019 result, show that the car can hold a tidy sheet, but the cluster of minor suspension, lighting, and screen defects in 2023, combined with the 2025 lamp issue, indicates that some trim-level and consumable items have needed attention more recently. With 128,103 miles accumulated over approximately ten years of recorded testing, this CR-V is running at roughly 12,810 miles per year, which is notably above the typical annual mileage for a vehicle of this age and points towards consistent, higher-than-average use. There are no unusual gaps in the testing timeline and the mileage progression between tests appears steady, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than sitting idle for extended periods. Mechanically, this level of annual usage places proportionally greater demand on the consumable and wear-item inventory, including suspension components, braking hardware, tyres, engine oil, and drivetrain lubricants. Combined with the advisory from 2023 concerning no engine oil registering on the dipstick at the time of test, the higher-than-average mileage warrants particular attention to oil consumption patterns and the condition of internal engine components. For a prospective buyer, the most relevant mechanical risk areas to prioritise on inspection are the front suspension and steering components, given that both nearside and offside front suspension arm ball joint dust covers were flagged as severely deteriorated with cracking in 2023. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocking transmitted through the front end when traversing speed bumps, driveway entries, or potholes, and feel for vagueness or shimmy through the steering wheel that could indicate worn ball joints beneath those perished covers. Examine the ball joint boots directly by turning the steering to full lock and inspecting the rubber gaiters for splits, grease loss, or contamination, as cracking dust covers allow water and grit ingress which accelerates wear of the joint itself. The 2025 registration plate lamp minor may simply reflect a failed bulb or LED unit, but it is worth confirming all exterior lighting functions correctly, including side repeaters, given the recurring lens damage advisories on the nearside repeater noted across 2023 tests. Additional inspection focus should be placed on the braking system and underbody corrosion, as the CR-V has now covered considerable mileage with no recorded brake-related advisories to date. On test, check for any pulling to one side under firm braking, pedal vibration or judder that could indicate disc warping, and uneven pad wear that may only become apparent on a careful visual inspection of the calipers and discs through the wheels. Inspect the underside for any developing corrosion on subframe, brake pipes, and suspension links, particularly around the rear arches and wheel wells where Honda products of this era can show early surface oxidation. Finally, verify the windscreen washers and wiper blades are functioning correctly, as both were the subject of the only MOT failure on record, and confirm the windscreen stone chips noted in 2023 have not progressed into the driver's direct line of sight, as any further encroachment could render the vehicle non-compliant at future testing.