Honda's reputation for building bullet-proof engines can lead to some owners neglecting the Accord Type R. So, you need to look for cars with a full and fat service record of careful maintenance and attention to detail. When you start the car from cold, make sure it idles smoothly and, when up to temperature, revs cleanly all the way to the red line.
Nearly 8,000rpm. In an Accord.
Listen out for any rattles from the engine that spell the end of the hydraulic cambelt tensioner. It usually makes itself know at around 2,000rpm. There's a mechanical tensioner available that sidesteps this problem and you may as well replace the water pump while carrying out this work. You'd also be wise to do the balancer belt as part of the same job and the whole lot will set you back around £650 from a Type R-savvy specialist.
The Type R's engine tends to be a little tappety in the way it sounds and it will need to be topped up with oil during normal use, with a litre per 1,000 miles reported by some owners as normal. However, any noise from the bottom of the engine points to con-rod shells wearing out and this can cost as much as £2,000 to remedy. The bottom crank pulley also wears with age and begins to wobble. A new one is £180 from Honda, but is relatively easy to sort out.
On cars that have been left standing for long periods or ones where the owner doesn't use the full rev band, the VTEC solenoid can seize through lack of use. This means you don't get the benefit of the high-end rush of power, so make sure the motor spins hard above 6,000rpm.
VTEC solenoid can seize, so make sure it screams!
Look for any signs of oil in the bottom of the transmission housing that point to worn crankshaft seals. You also need to check for oil seeping from the camshaft end seal, which will show up around the exhaust manifold.
It's a good idea to clean the exhaust gas recirculation valve regularly. Some owners undertake this twice a year to keep the motor running sweetly and it's only a half hour job that can be completed at home.
All of the above is worst case scenario stuff, but you are likely to encounter cars with transmissions that crunch on the way into fifth or reverse gears due to weak synchromesh. Honda issued a recall to fit carbon-lined synchros to cure this, but a lot of cars did not receive the work. A replacement 'box will be £800 from a scrapped car, assuming you can find one for sale. Facelifted cars from 2001-on tend not to suffer from this as much. Clutches are hard wearing and should last up to 60,000 miles even with hard driving.
PHer's view:
"Who doesn't love that rush when the VTEC kicks in? It's what made me choose the Type R, though I also love its all-round ability."
Dai Jones