2010 Honda Civic 1.8L Petrol · RF59 FBJ

A pattern of recurring advisories surrounding tyres, rear brake discs, and front suspension components defines this 2010 Civic's MOT history, with two failures and a catalogue of defects spanning four consecutive test cycles. The most recent outcome on 17 March 2026 was a pass, but it carried four advisories including both rear tyres worn to the legal limit on their edges, front suspension arm rear bushes worn on both sides, and pitted or scored rear brake discs. Critically, this pass came immediately after a dangerous failure on 16 March 2026, where the nearside front tyre was found with exposed ply or cords in the sidewall, and the offside front shock absorber had a serious fluid leak. Such a turnaround from a dangerous fail to a pass in a single day suggests urgent remedial work was carried out between tests, and a prospective buyer should verify exactly which parts were renewed. Earlier failures in 2025 (both stop lamp and nearside front position lamp inoperative) and 2022 (nearside rear position lamp missing) are minor in isolation, but they contribute to a record that has not produced an advisory-free test since at least 2022. Mileage of 102,274 over sixteen years equates to roughly 6,392 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a vehicle of this age. The MOT testing history shows consistent annual visits from 2022 onwards with no multi-year lay-up that might raise concerns about dormant component degradation such as seized brakes or perished fuel lines. However, the annual accumulation is not trivial for a Civic of this vintage, and combined with the chronic advisories on consumable and chassis components, it suggests that the suspension, braking, and tyre systems are being worked through their natural service life at a steady pace. No single test entry records the odometer reading within the data provided, so rapid mileage increases between specific tests cannot be independently verified, but the overall pattern indicates regular rather than occasional use. There is nothing in the usage profile to suggest the vehicle has been neglected through long-term standing, nor does the mileage point to the kind of high-rate motorway accumulation that accelerates wear on clutch, turbo, or drivetrain bearings. Given the repeated advisories on the front suspension arm rear bushes, a physical inspection should focus on the rear bushes of both lower or upper front control arms. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven B-road surfaces, and feel for imprecise steering response or a wandering sensation at motorway speeds that would suggest the bushes have worn beyond the advisory threshold. The vehicle should also be raised and the front suspension arm joints rocked manually to detect play, as worn bushes can allow visible movement under hand pressure. The offside front shock absorber fluid leak noted in March 2026 is a particular concern; check the shock body for fresh oil residue or a damp, dirty appearance, and during the drive, observe whether the car recovers quickly after a sharp press of the front suspension over a speed bump, as a fading shock will allow the front end to bounce more than once. The brake-related advisories deserve direct attention. The 2025 entry noted that all brake discs were corroded and that rear brake imbalance requirements were only just met, which typically indicates either a sticking rear caliper or uneven pad wear. During a test drive, apply the brakes firmly from around 40 mph and feel for any lateral pull to one side, a pulsing sensation through the pedal suggesting disc runout or thickness variation, or a soft, low pedal that may indicate hydraulic issues. At low speed, listen for any grinding or scraping from the rear wheels that could point to binding callipers or excessively worn pads. Finally, the tyre wear pattern flagged repeatedly on the rears, and the dangerous front sidewall failure, indicate that close attention must be paid to current tyre condition. All four tyres should be inspected for even tread wear, sidewall bulges or cracks, and adequate tread depth, and any uneven rear edge wear should prompt a check of rear wheel alignment and suspension geometry before purchase.