2008 Honda Accord 2.2L Diesel · RF08 NMU

The 2008 Honda Accord remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 11 April 2025 at 155,063 miles, but the maintenance trend is gradually worsening. The 2025 test recorded a notable cluster of advisories across the front and rear suspension and braking systems. Both front lower suspension arm bushes were flagged as worn, along with slight play in the nearside front and offside rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, plus worn rear anti-roll bar bushes. The tester also flagged a binding offside rear service brake and a worn, pitted offside rear inner brake disc. None of these items caused a failure, yet their simultaneous presence suggests deferred attention to front-end and rear brake components. Comparing this to the 2024 test, which only flagged worn front suspension bushes, the 2025 result shows a clear broadening of wear-related advisories rather than resolution. The mileage progression indicates consistent, moderate use. Between the June 2023 test at 124,873 miles and the April 2025 test at 155,063 miles, the car covered roughly 30,190 miles in just under two years, averaging around 15,000 miles per year. That is significantly higher than the car's lifetime average of approximately 8,615 miles per year. The jump suggests a change in ownership or usage pattern, likely heavier commuting or long-distance driving. This accelerated mileage accumulation places additional stress on suspension bushes, brake discs, tyres, and exhaust components, which aligns with the growing list of advisories. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front and rear suspension and braking systems. Repeated advisories for worn suspension arm bushes and anti-roll bar linkages point to a car that has absorbed considerable road stress without proactive replacement of worn bushes or ball joints. The binding offside rear brake and pitted rear disc raise the possibility of a sticking caliper or seized slide pins, which can cause uneven pad wear and overheating. The rear brake hoses showed corrosion to ferrules in 2023, and although not flagged again, age and corrosion risk remain. Checking for uneven inner tyre wear is also warranted, given the 2022 advisories for tyres worn on edges, which can indicate misalignment or worn suspension geometry. The exhaust system deserves attention too. A minor exhaust leak was noted in both 2022 tests, and while it has not reappeared, eighteen years of use and thermal cycling increase the risk of developing cracks or corrosion in the front exhaust section. Overall, the car has passed its MOTs, but the pattern of recurring and expanding advisories suggests a vehicle that has been used hard and maintained reactively rather than preventatively. A thorough test drive over rough surfaces and a full suspension and brake inspection on a ramp are advisable before purchase.