If you spot rust on the body of an
EP3 Civic Type R
it's either led a very hard life or has been poorly repaired after accident damage. Either way, best to move on to the next car on your list as there are plenty about in rust-free condition. You may spot a fair few stone chips on the bonnet as the paint is quite soft compared to many other contemporary cars.
Championship White only for Japan - boo!
Milano Red cars can suffer from paint fade if they've spent their whole lives outside and the only real cure is a respray. Simon Kearn of Hendy Performance says: "The mouldings on doors and the window seals can deteriorate and we sell quite a lot of these, so it's a common flaw." He also adds: "It's cheaper to buy a genuine new bumper for the
EP3 Type R
than have the existing one repaired, prepped and sprayed."
Have a look around the aerial base to make sure it's not leaking and letting water into the rear of the cabin. Check for this by feeling around the headlining and B- and C-pillars inside the car for any signs of damp.
PHer's view:
"The reliability overall is pretty good, and the interior is well put together. However, one thing I felt was a bit odd were the stickers next to the air vents. They started to peel off quite quickly and look a bit cheap."
Robiul Ahmed