Honda Civic common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Honda Civic at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 296,479 UK MOT tests of the Honda Civic in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2009–2011 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 8.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: steering rack (gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (9.1×); shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (4.3×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (3.8×). The most common reasons a Honda Civic fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect); stop lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Honda Civic
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Honda Civic than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side repeaters: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.3% | 0.4% | 8.2× | 4,812 |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 1995–1997 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7.3% | 0.8% | 9.1× | 477 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | MOT fail | 2006–2008 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.7% | 1.1% | 4.3× | 6,769 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.9% | 1.8% | 3.8× | 2,813 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 1995–1997 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9.3% | 1.9% | 4.9× | 410 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 19% | 4.9% | 3.8× | 1,968 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.6% | 2.5% | 3.4× | 2,848 |
| Stop lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8.5% | 3.5% | 2.4× | 11,421 |
Honda Civic by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 6,297 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (10%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3.4%, 2.3×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 19,038 | Brake pads: wearing thin (15%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (15%, 1.7×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 11,213 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,388 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | — |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 895 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (4.1%, 1.5×) |
Honda Civic by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 453 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.9×) |
| 1996 | 709 | Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (9.1×) |
| 1997 | 1,044 | Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (7.6×) |
| 1998 | 1,276 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.9×) |
| 1999 | 1,761 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.4×) |
| 2000 | 2,104 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.5×) |
| 2001 | 5,450 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.1×) |
| 2002 | 7,888 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.8×) |
| 2003 | 9,043 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.6×) |
| 2004 | 12,279 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.6×) |
| 2005 | 14,567 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.7×) |
| 2006 | 17,682 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.8×) |
| 2007 | 26,382 | Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.3×) |
| 2008 | 23,542 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.2×) |
| 2009 | 20,553 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.1×) |
| 2010 | 17,528 | Side repeaters: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (8.2×) |
| 2011 | 11,445 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.2×) |
| 2012 | 13,321 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.7×) |
| 2013 | 15,472 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3×) |
| 2014 | 14,476 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.6×) |
| 2015 | 15,061 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.9×) |
| 2016 | 16,218 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.8×) |
| 2017 | 14,720 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.7×) |
| 2018 | 13,700 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.3×) |
| 2019 | 12,836 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.1×) |
| 2020 | 5,736 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.1×) |
| 2021 | 196 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.1×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Honda Civic?
In 296,479 UK MOT tests of the Honda Civic in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2009–2011 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 8.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: steering rack (gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (9.1×); shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (4.3×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (3.8×). The most common reasons a Honda Civic fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect); stop lamp (not working).
Why do Honda Civics fail the MOT?
Across 296,479 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Honda Civic were position lamp (not working) (8.1% of tests); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect) (7.1% of tests); stop lamp (not working) (6.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Honda Civic problems start?
The clearest Honda Civic-specific issue, side repeaters (not working), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2009–2011 cars (3.3% of tests vs 0.4% for all cars that age).
Where does this Honda Civic data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 296,479 tests of the Honda Civic. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.