2004 Honda Civic · 41,699 MOT tests
2004 Honda Civic reliability
2004 Honda Civics fail 43.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 25 Civic years (41,699 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2004 Honda Civic?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Honda Civics: 32.6%)
- 43.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Honda Civics: 32.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 108,975
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 41,699
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 24% of tests fail here (9% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 33% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Honda Civic
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24%
- Suspension17.9%
- Brakes14.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%
- Body, chassis and structure6.9%
- Tyres6.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 6.76%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.75%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.18%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Stop lamp not working 4.15%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.91%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.74%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.58%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.13%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (10.42%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.22%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.45%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.82%)
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 2004 Honda Civic reliable?
2004 Honda Civics fail 43.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 25 Civic years (41,699 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Honda Civic MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (6.76% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.75% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.18% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Honda Civic have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Honda Civic shows 108,975 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Check a 2004 Honda Civic free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.