2009 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel · RO09 NFG

The most recent DVSA test on 2 May 2023 resulted in a pass, with only two minor advisories recorded relating to deteriorated front lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers on both the nearside and offside. Looking back across the available MOT history, the vehicle has maintained a continuous pass record since 2017, but a recurring pattern of suspension and steering ball joint dust cover deterioration has been noted at every test from 2018 onwards. This is a steady, slowly worsening wear trend rather than an acute failure, with severity escalating from advisories in 2018 to minor defects by 2021 and 2022, plus a major anti-roll bar linkage dust cover failure during the 2022 test. An airbag/SRS warning lamp major defect was also flagged in 2022 but was resolved prior to the subsequent pass. Overall, the maintenance trend suggests the car has been kept on the road reliably but is developing progressive wear in its front suspension and steering assemblies which should not be ignored. With 189,128 miles recorded on a 2009 Honda CR-V, annual mileage equates to roughly 11,125 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and suggests consistent use rather than long periods of standing or unusually high motorway mileage accumulation. The MOT record shows annual testing rather than any significant gaps, consistent with a regularly driven car. Given this mileage, mechanical attention should naturally focus on consumables that have already seen considerable service life, including clutch and dual-mass flywheel condition if a manual, automatic transmission fluid degradation, timing chain or belt service intervals, and general engine wear. Equally, despite the moderate annual mileage, age-related deterioration of rubber, plastics and electrical components should be expected on a 17-year-old vehicle, regardless of how it has been used. The persistent front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover deterioration is the most significant recurring defect and warrants close physical inspection. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over bumps and speed humps, which would indicate the ball joints themselves have worn once dirt ingress accelerates cover failure. Steering vagueness, uneven or feathered front tyre wear, and vibration through the wheel may also suggest the track rod ends and drop links are beginning to seize or wear. On the 2022 test, a track rod end ball joint dust cover defect was also recorded on both sides, and an offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint failed a major, so these components should be inspected for perished boots, weeping grease, and play. Lift the front wheels and check for free play at each ball joint by rocking the tyre, and visually inspect the rubber boots for splits, deformation, or contamination. Beyond the documented MOT items, a prospective buyer should carry out several age- and mileage-appropriate physical checks. Tyres should be examined for age-related sidewall perishing and cracking even if tread depth appears adequate, as rubber degrades with calendar age on a vehicle of this vintage. Brake discs should be checked for lipping, corrosion, and binding calipers, particularly as the car may have stood for periods given the modest annual mileage; the 2017 advisory noted front disc wear and the 2018 test flagged a noisy parking brake, both consistent with caliper sluggishness. Verify a complete service history with evidence of regular brake fluid and coolant changes, as these fluids degrade over time regardless of mileage, and a 12V battery health check is strongly recommended on a 17-year-old vehicle. Underneath, inspect the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting points and joints, examine the rear subframe and suspension bushes for perishing, and ensure there are no oil leaks from the engine or automatic transmission. Finally, given that an SRS warning lamp fault was recorded in 2022, verify that no dashboard airbag warning lights remain illuminated and confirm any diagnostic repair work undertaken, as unresolved supplementary restraint system faults represent both a safety and an MOT failure risk.