2016 Honda Civic 1.8L Petrol · VB05 ASH

The 2016 Honda Civic’s most recent MOT tests reveal a mixed but concerning trend, with a single critical failure in June 2026—rear brake pads reduced to 1.1mm—despite a clean pass just hours earlier. This suggests either a rushed or incomplete inspection before the test, as the same mileage (70,267) was recorded for both attempts. The prior failure in September 2024, where the offside front headlamp aim was too low, indicates a recurring issue with lighting calibration rather than mechanical wear. No structural or safety-critical advisories appear in the record, but the repeated brake and lamp faults imply inconsistent maintenance. The vehicle’s current MOT status is technically valid until 2026-06-11, but the technical irregularities demand immediate attention. The recorded mileage of 70,267 miles over ten years aligns with typical usage patterns for this age, averaging around 7,000 miles annually. There are no prolonged gaps or extreme mileage spikes in the record, though the 2025 test at 67,460 miles—just under a year after the 2024 test at 64,106—suggests the vehicle was driven steadily without prolonged storage. The absence of advisories or partial passes in earlier tests further supports that the car has not been neglected, though the June 2026 double-testing is unusual and warrants scrutiny. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the rear braking system, particularly the pads and calipers, given the recent failure. The offside front headlamp issue from 2024 may recur, so alignment and beam aim should be verified. Suspension components—coil springs, bushes, and dampers—should be checked for wear or corrosion, especially if the vehicle has encountered wet or salted roads. Tyre tread depth and uniformity are also critical, as the absence of advisories does not guarantee they have been consistently maintained. Structural integrity, including underbody corrosion and wheel bearing condition, should be inspected, as these are not routinely flagged in MOTs but can pose long-term risks.