2008 Honda Civic · 75,064 MOT tests
2008 Honda Civic reliability
2008 Honda Civics fail 43.4% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 25 Civic years (75,064 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Honda Civics: 32.6%)
- 43.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Honda Civics: 32.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 110,144
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 75,064
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: about average for its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 25.3% of tests fail here (23% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 48% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Honda Civic
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.3%
- Suspension18.2%
- Brakes10.1%
- Tyres7.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%
- Body, chassis and structure4.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 7.16%
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 5.6%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 4.78%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Stop lamp not working 4.24%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.2%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.96%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.21%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.73%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.87%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (8.78%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.85%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (7.23%)
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 2008 Honda Civic reliable?
2008 Honda Civics fail 43.4% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 25 Civic years (75,064 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Honda Civic MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (7.16% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.6% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (4.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Honda Civic have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Honda Civic shows 110,144 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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