HONDA CIVIC Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 36,917 MOT tests from 2,353 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every HONDA CIVIC has the same fault.

HONDA CIVIC's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 595/999. The score was calculated from the average of every HONDA CIVIC that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the HONDA CIVIC.

HONDA CIVIC (example)

Check a Honda Civic before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	818/999Excellent	91,541 miles	5,954 vehicles
N/A	N/A	804/999Excellent	89,405 miles	8,359 vehicles
N/A	N/A	799/999Very good	79,341 miles	1,211 vehicles
N/A	N/A	765/999Very good	90,870 miles	540 vehicles
N/A	N/A	762/999Very good	76,940 miles	2,955 vehicles
N/A	N/A	702/999Very good	76,831 miles	5,639 vehicles
N/A	N/A	698/999Good	90,409 miles	6,896 vehicles
N/A	N/A	672/999Good	75,457 miles	6,179 vehicles
N/A	N/A	649/999Good	89,289 miles	6,460 vehicles
N/A	N/A	646/999Good	74,647 miles	5,414 vehicles
N/A	N/A	574/999Above average	90,856 miles	1,781 vehicles
N/A	N/A	527/999Above average	86,323 miles	2,803 vehicles
N/A	N/A	487/999Average	91,974 miles	6,088 vehicles
N/A	N/A	474/999Average	89,539 miles	7,166 vehicles
N/A	N/A	466/999Average	80,400 miles	10,477 vehicles
N/A	N/A	458/999Average	82,204 miles	10,565 vehicles
N/A	N/A	452/999Average	81,049 miles	1,422 vehicles
N/A	N/A	448/999Average	85,405 miles	9,553 vehicles
N/A	N/A	444/999Average	93,482 miles	9,500 vehicles
N/A	N/A	427/999Average	80,254 miles	3,347 vehicles
N/A	N/A	426/999Average	78,769 miles	623 vehicles

How reliable is the HONDA CIVIC?

Based on 36,917 MOT tests from 2,353 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

2,353

MOT tests

36,917

Pass rate

77.6%

Median mileage

95,634 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every HONDA CIVIC has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 607 out of 999.

Common HONDA CIVIC MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7,037 advisory comments and 690 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,879 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 606 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 602 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 493 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 458 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 429 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 379 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP AIM PROJECTED BEAM IMAGE IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT (4.1.2 (C))

HONDA CIVIC MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	7	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	10	11	90.9%	Tyre wear
2022	6	11	100%	Brake pad wear
2021	16	54	87%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	24	105	93.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	93	539	88.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	109	719	86.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	98	812	86.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	126	1145	86%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	114	1196	85.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	136	1573	84.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	177	2264	84.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	149	2099	82.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	114	1944	73.6%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2010	186	3418	74.4%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2009	183	3572	73.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2008	157	3205	75.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	190	4069	75%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2006	78	1794	74.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2005	78	1720	78.1%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2004	82	2069	73.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	43	1037	76.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2002	45	1089	74.3%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2001	16	407	75.4%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2000	11	261	72.8%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
1999	15	353	75.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension bush issues
1997	7	129	76.7%	Tyre wear, Suspension bush issues
1996	5	149	67.1%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1993	5	116	75.9%	Suspension arm issues, Suspension bush issues

What to check when buying a used HONDA CIVIC

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Buying a HONDA CIVIC?

Common problems tell you what can affect HONDA CIVICs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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