Worried what to do next. HONDA CIVIC IX (FK)

You’re experiencing repeated MOT advisories and failures for the same issues—tyres, coil springs, anti-roll bar ball joints, and suspension—despite regular servicing and repairs. This situation raises two main concerns: whether your car has inherent design or age-related problems, or if the garage (AC) is unnecessarily flagging these issues to generate more work.

Commonality of Suspension and Tyre Issues in Older Cars

- Suspension components (coil springs, anti-roll bar links, bushings) and tyres are subject to wear and tear, especially in vehicles over 10 years old. Over time, these parts endure significant stress from road conditions, weather, and normal driving.
- Common recurring problems in older cars include:
- Worn or broken coil springs
- Deteriorated suspension bushings
- Ball joint wear
- Tyre wear due to misalignment or worn suspension
- Leaking or worn shock absorbers

Why Do These Issues Keep Appearing?

- Design and Age Factors: Some makes and models are more prone to suspension wear, especially if they have a history of poor maintenance or have been driven on rough roads. However, after 14 years, it’s not unusual for these issues to recur, especially if previous owners did not address the root causes or used lower-quality parts for repairs.
- Maintenance History: If the MOT history shows repeated advisories for the same items, it could indicate:
- Repairs were not done, or only the bare minimum was addressed to pass MOTs.
- Substandard parts or workmanship were used.
- Underlying issues (like poor alignment or worn bushings) were never fully corrected, causing new tyres or suspension parts to wear prematurely.

Is the Garage (AC) Over-Advising?

- Pattern of Advisories: If AC consistently lists the same advisories each year, but you’ve had repairs done elsewhere, it’s possible they are being overly cautious, or their inspections are not thorough enough to notice recent repairs.
- MOT Passes: The car passing its MOT means that, at the time of inspection, it met the minimum legal safety standards. Advisories are not failures but indicate items that are worn or close to the limit and may need attention soon.
- Potential for Upselling: Some garages do tend to list advisories more aggressively to encourage additional work, but repeated genuine wear in these areas is plausible for an older car.

What Should You Do?

- Get a Second Opinion: If you’re concerned about repeated advisories, have an independent, trusted garage inspect the car. Ask them to specifically check the items listed as advisories to confirm if they truly need attention.
- Check Quality of Previous Repairs: Ensure that quality parts were used and that underlying causes (like alignment or bush wear) were addressed, not just the symptoms.
- Monitor Your Driving and Usage: Even if you don’t drive much, age, previous neglect, and environmental factors (like moisture causing spring corrosion) can still cause recurring issues.

Advice on Future Maintenance

- Keep Detailed Records: Document all repairs with dates, parts used, and the garage that performed the work. This helps if you need to challenge repeat advisories.
- Prioritize Safety Items: Tyres, suspension, and brakes are critical for safety. Address advisories in these areas promptly.
- Consider the Car’s Value: For a 14-year-old vehicle with a history of recurring issues, weigh the cost of ongoing repairs against the value and reliability of the car.