2002 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol · RV02 AOW

The vehicle remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 2026-01-21, passing with a single minor defect: the nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated. While this is a non-critical advisory under 5.3.4 (b) (i), it signals ongoing wear in a high-stress component. The maintenance trend is not improving — it is stabilising at a baseline of minor but recurring suspension and tyre-related issues, with no major structural or safety-critical failures recorded in the last 18 months. The 2025-01-27 failure for an insecure driver’s seat was resolved before the next test, indicating responsive ownership, but the suspension and tyre concerns persist. The recorded mileage of 120,448 miles at age 24 is unusually low, averaging just over 5,000 miles annually. This suggests the vehicle has been lightly used or stored for extended periods, which can lead to degradation of rubber components, suspension bushings, and brake system integrity. The gap between the 2024-01-24 and 2025-01-27 tests shows only 3,413 miles added — a very slow accumulation — which may explain why some components, like the nearside front suspension dust cover, have deteriorated without being replaced. The 2023-01-10 test at 111,783 miles already flagged multiple tyre issues and suspension play, indicating these problems were present well before the most recent test. A buyer should inspect the nearside front suspension components closely — particularly the ball joint dust cover and surrounding bushings — as these have been flagged twice in the last three years and are prone to grease leakage and failure. The offside rear brake system requires attention, as it showed signs of overheating and restricted movement in 2024, which could indicate binding calipers or worn pads. Tyre condition is a recurring concern, with multiple tyres flagged for perishing or near-wear-out status; the current nearside rear tyre’s inner sidewall damage suggests prolonged storage or neglect. Structural integrity should be checked for rust, especially around wheel arches and suspension mounting points, as low mileage doesn’t eliminate corrosion risk. The power steering fluid level, while not critical, should be verified for leaks or degradation.