2012 Honda Jazz 1.3L Petrol · RO12 KNZ

The Honda Jazz presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 18 March 2026 at 82,794 miles passed with only minor advisories, a registration plate lamp and a windscreen chip outside the driver's primary field of view. That clean result is encouraging, but it sits on top of a history that shows recurring brake and suspension wear, suggesting the car has not always been maintained to a high standard. The overall trend is neither clearly worsening nor fully resolving; it appears stable at the surface, yet the underlying pattern of repeated brake and shock absorber faults warrants caution. At roughly 5,914 miles per year, the annual mileage is low for a 2012 vehicle. The record shows a gap of about 5,615 miles between April 2024 and April 2025, then a jump of 4,779 miles in the following year to March 2026. That uneven accumulation could indicate periods of light use or even long standing, which itself can cause its own issues such as perished tyres, sticking brakes, and dried-out suspension bushes. The low annual distance also means wear on consumables may not be evenly distributed, and components can deteriorate with age rather than mileage alone. The most persistent theme in the MOT history is brake wear. Front brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in both April 2025 tests and again in April 2024. In the failed April 2024 test at 72,400 miles, the offside rear brake disc was seriously weakened, and both rear brake efficiencies fell below requirements. That is not a minor consumable issue; it points to a braking system that has at times been operating at or near its safety limit. A buyer should have the entire braking system inspected in person, including disc thickness, pad condition, caliper operation, and handbrake linkage adjustment. Suspension also appears on the radar. Both rear shock absorbers were noted as having a light oil misting in April 2024, and the same advisory carried over into the passed test the following day. Misting indicates early seal degradation, and while it may not yet constitute a failure, it suggests the dampers are ageing. Combined with the tyre damage flagged in 2025, including a cut reaching the ply on the nearside rear and perishing on the offside front, a thorough check of suspension bushes, coil springs, and tyre condition is advisable before purchase.