2003 Honda Civic · 30,159 MOT tests
2003 Honda Civic reliability
2003 Honda Civics fail 46.1% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 25 Civic years (30,159 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Honda Civics: 32.6%)
- 46.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Honda Civics: 32.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 104,761
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 30,159
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 20.7% of tests fail here (25% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 25% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Honda Civic
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.7%
- Suspension20.7%
- Brakes13.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.5%
- Body, chassis and structure7%
- Tyres6.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 7.11%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 5.41%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.26%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.42%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.37%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.89%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (15.43%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.23%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.34%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.39%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.04%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (6.79%)
Other years
Every Honda Civic year
The full picture: Honda Civic reliability. Before you pay for any Honda Civic, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Honda Civic reliable?
2003 Honda Civics fail 46.1% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 25 Civic years (30,159 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Honda Civic MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (7.11% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.41% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.26% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Honda Civic have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Honda Civic shows 104,761 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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