2004 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol · RO04 WTC

The most recent DVSA examination on 25 November 2025 resulted in a pass, with a single advisory recorded concerning an offside front suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement. Reviewing the broader history, this vehicle has passed every MOT since 2019 without any further advisories or defects escalated beyond minor categorisation, suggesting a broadly stable maintenance trend with no recent failures. The advisory noted in the latest test is a relatively common wear item on a 22 year old chassis and was not considered significant enough to fail the vehicle, indicating the component still has serviceable integrity. The clean pass on the 2024 test, followed only by this single suspension observation in 2025, suggests the vehicle has not deteriorated markedly between tests and remains roadworthy, though the advisory warrants close attention as it could progress toward a fail if left unaddressed. The recorded mileage of 122,899 miles over a 22 year service life equates to approximately 5,586 miles per annum, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage and considerably below the national average. Such modest annual usage suggests the CR-V has either been used primarily for short local journeys or has experienced extended periods of standing between drives. Low mileage on an older vehicle is not without its mechanical concerns, as prolonged inactivity can lead to corrosion of brake discs, binding of caliper pistons, deterioration of rubber components, and degradation of fluids on a calendar basis rather than purely through wear. Conversely, the limited mileage will have preserved major drivetrain components such as the engine, transmission, and clutch from the cumulative fatigue typically seen on higher mileage examples. Given the recurring advisories on the front suspension across multiple test cycles, particular attention should be paid to the condition of the front suspension arms, ball joints, and bushes during a pre-purchase inspection. The dust covers on the front ball joints were flagged as severely deteriorated in 2020, 2021, and 2023, and although they were only recorded as minors rather than advisories on those occasions, their repeated appearance suggests the gaiters may have perished to the point of exposing the joints to water and grit ingress, which can accelerate wear of the ball joint itself. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or when turning at low speed, and check for uneven front tyre wear which would indicate the bushes or joints are no longer holding correct geometry. The most recent advisory on the offside front suspension arm pin or bush indicates this area is the most active wear point and should be inspected by physically levering the components to assess any play beyond manufacturer tolerance. Beyond the documented advisories, several age and usage related checks are strongly advisable for a 22 year old vehicle with relatively low annual mileage. The 2020 MOT failure for dangerous tears in all four tyres is a notable historical point, as tyres fitted to a low mileage vehicle of this age are particularly susceptible to sidewall perishing and cracking from UV exposure and time, even if the tread depth appears adequate; inspect the sidewalls carefully for hairline cracks and check the production date codes on the sidewalls to ensure the rubber compound has not exceeded its safe service life. The 2022 advisory on rear brake pad wear and the 2023 advisories on corroded rear brake pipes suggest the braking system has been an area of ongoing attention, so a thorough check of brake disc condition, pad thickness, and any signs of brake fluid leakage or seized caliper slides is essential, particularly given the likely standing periods which promote corrosion on the friction surfaces. Additionally, verify the service history stamps to confirm regular replacement of engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and the timing belt, as the latter is a critical interval item on a Honda K series engine of this era and neglect can result in catastrophic engine damage. The 12V battery should be load tested, and the exhaust system, particularly the rear silencer and underfloor sections, should be examined for corrosion given the vehicle's age and the likelihood of road salt exposure during winter months.