2012 Honda Jazz 1.3L Petrol · WN62 TYA

The most recent DVSA examination on 15 September 2025 resulted in a PASS, although the test outcome is qualified by three advisories relating to the rear braking system, specifically rear brake pads wearing thin on both the nearside and offside, together with rear brake discs on both sides noted as worn, pitted or scored. These advisories replicate findings from the prior 2025-09-12 failure, which additionally recorded a Major defect for an insecure nearside front track rod end ball joint dust cover and a Minor defect for an inoperative offside rear registration plate lamp. The maintenance trajectory over the four-year MOT window shows a progressive pattern of accumulating advisories rather than a stable or improving trend, with braking components first flagged on the front discs in 2020, moving to the rear pads in 2021, recurring on the rear discs in 2023 and 2025, and a steering component defect escalating from a Minor damaged dust cover in 2023 to a Major insecure cover in 2025. A single advisory in 2024 also drew attention to corrosion on suspension components, suggesting that the underside is beginning to deteriorate at fourteen years of age. The recorded mileage of 145,778 miles against a 2012 manufacture date equates to an annual average of approximately 10,413 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and indicates regular rather than standing use. The MOT history itself is recorded annually without prolonged gaps, supporting the view that the car has been in consistent service throughout its life. While this mileage profile is reassuring in terms of avoiding prolonged standing-related deterioration such as severe brake disc corrosion, seized calipers, or perished fuel lines, it does place proportionally higher wear on consumable items including brake friction material, suspension bushes, coil springs, wheel bearings and the clutch mechanism, all of which are subject to mechanical fatigue over such a distance. From a prospective buyer standpoint, the rear brake pads and rear brake discs noted at the 2025 test should be considered as items requiring imminent attention, given that the pads were already recorded as wearing thin at the most recent pass and a further year of use will likely have brought them closer to or beyond serviceable limit. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or squealing from the rear under light braking, observe whether the vehicle pulls to one side under deceleration which would suggest uneven pad wear or a binding caliper, and check for any pulsing through the brake pedal indicative of rear disc run-out or excessive scoring. The track rod end ball joint dust cover, having deteriorated from a Minor to a Major defect within two years, warrants close inspection; on test, listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps or uneven surfaces and check for excessive play in the steering or uneven front tyre wear, particularly feathering on the inner or outer edges which can indicate worn track rod ends. Beyond the recorded defects, the corrosion advisory on suspension components noted in 2024 is particularly significant for a fourteen-year-old Honda Jazz and warrants a thorough underbody examination on a ramp or over an inspection pit, paying particular attention to the rear axle beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar linkages and brake and fuel lines for any advanced surface oxidation or structural concern. The mileage suggests the cambelt and water pump replacement schedule will have fallen due multiple times by now and verification of service history stamps confirming these renewals at the manufacturer-recommended intervals is essential. Tyres should be inspected for age-related sidewall perishing and cracking regardless of tread depth given the vehicle's calendar age, the 12V battery should be load-tested as a fourteen-year-old unit is well beyond typical service life, and brake fluid, coolant and gearbox oil should be checked for condition and any evidence of calendar-based degradation, with a brake fluid renewal within the last two years being advisable due to its hygroscopic nature. Finally, verify that the advisory items from the 2025 pass have been addressed, as the combination of thin rear pads and scored rear discs is likely to necessitate replacement of both components together as a matter of priority.