Family hatchback · 1996–2021 cars
Honda Civic reliability
The Honda Civic fails 32.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 960,359 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Honda Civic before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 32.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 960,359
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Civic ranks 25 of 65 family hatchback models. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 32.6%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 4% fewer MOT fails, so it does a little better than comparable cars overall. Age still matters: 2021 models have 28% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars, while 1997 models have 23% more.
Lights and electrics are the weak area, with 18% more fails than comparable cars. Before you buy, check these common failures: position lamp not working (4.73% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.24%), stop lamp not working (3.09%) and tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.42%). Switch on every light, have someone check the brake lights, and measure the tread on each tyre. A few minutes of checking now can help you avoid a surprise at the MOT.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Honda Civic ages
Each point is the share of Honda Civics of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Honda Civic | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 16.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19.2% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 22.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 26.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 33% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 39% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 43.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 44.1% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 44.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 44.4% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 43.9% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 44.6% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 45.5% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 44.8% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 44.4% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 41.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 38.2% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 41.6% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Honda Civic years
2021 cars come out best and 1997 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Civic | 1,253 | 8.1% | 28% fewer fails | 23,123 |
| 2020 Civic | 9,231 | 9.6% | 21% fewer fails | 26,000 |
| 2019 Civic | 37,915 | 11.2% | 17% fewer fails | 31,311 |
| 2018 Civic | 50,394 | 13.4% | 11% fewer fails | 36,615 |
| 2017 Civic | 52,752 | 14.3% | 17% fewer fails | 41,798 |
| 2016 Civic | 55,113 | 15.4% | 24% fewer fails | 51,391 |
| 2015 Civic | 50,685 | 17.3% | 27% fewer fails | 60,920 |
| 2014 Civic | 48,407 | 21.2% | 22% fewer fails | 69,419 |
| 2013 Civic | 51,442 | 24.1% | 22% fewer fails | 79,714 |
| 2012 Civic | 44,693 | 26.4% | 21% fewer fails | 83,156 |
| 2011 Civic | 36,398 | 39.6% | 11% more fails | 83,625 |
| 2010 Civic | 55,417 | 41.7% | 7% more fails | 95,173 |
| 2009 Civic | 65,184 | 42.5% | 3% more fails | 102,702 |
| 2008 Civic | 75,064 | 43.4% | 1% more fails | 110,144 |
| 2007 Civic | 84,554 | 44% | 0% more fails | 115,825 |
| 2006 Civic | 55,382 | 45.4% | 2% more fails | 120,059 |
| 2005 Civic | 49,091 | 43.1% | 2% fewer fails | 106,684 |
| 2004 Civic | 41,699 | 43.6% | 1% fewer fails | 108,975 |
| 2003 Civic | 30,159 | 46.1% | 7% more fails | 104,761 |
| 2002 Civic | 26,384 | 45.3% | 6% more fails | 106,098 |
| 2001 Civic | 18,107 | 46.1% | 12% more fails | 99,799 |
| 2000 Civic | 6,818 | 39.4% | 0% more fails | 92,812 |
| 1999 Civic | 7,405 | 38.1% | 1% more fails | 95,250 |
| 1998 Civic | 4,687 | 41.2% | 14% more fails | 93,161 |
| 1997 Civic | 1,702 | 44.1% | 23% more fails | 91,060 |
| 1996 | 423 | 39.2% | 12% more fails | 91,156 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Honda Civic
Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 18% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.4%18% above avg
- Suspension10.6%12% below avg
- Brakes8.2%8% below avg
- Tyres6.3%5% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%3% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%32% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.1%41% below avg
- Steering1.8%31% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1%34% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 4.73% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.24% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 3.09% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.42% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.34% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.15% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.98% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.84% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Honda Civic's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.9%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.71%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.41%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.25%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.96%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.28%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Honda Civic
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Honda Civic covers about 8,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol76.3%
- Diesel22.7%
- Hybrid0.5%
- Electric0.3%
- Other0.2%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Red, Grey
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Honda Civic compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | 20.9% | 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW 1 Series | 23.1% | 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi A3 | 24.4% | 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Octavia | 24.7% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Leon | 23.2% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 20.6% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda Civic | 32.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Honda models.
Questions
Honda Civic questions, answered
Is the Honda Civic reliable?
On MOT results, the Honda Civic is about average: it fails 32.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 25 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Honda Civic MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Honda Civic are position lamp not working (4.73% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.24% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.09% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17.4% of its tests.
Which Honda Civic year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1997 cars do worst (23% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Honda Civic do a year?
A typical Honda Civic covers about 8,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Honda Civic before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a Honda Civic? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.