Honda Civic MOT pass rate and common problems
75.1% of 411,777 Honda Civic MOT tests pass.
At 75.1%, the Civic passes slightly less often than the average across all Honda models (79.4%).
At 75.1%, the Honda Civic passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Honda Civic?
This is the average across every Honda Civic in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Honda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Honda Civic tested at 0–3 years pass 91.5% of the time, compared with just 65.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.5% | 247 | 22,699 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.1% | 44,888 | 39,217 miles |
| 6–10 years | 87.2% | 87,777 | 62,500 miles |
| 10–15 years | 74.5% | 101,410 | 96,093 miles |
| 15+ years | 65.4% | 177,455 | 114,461 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda Civic
The most common reason the Honda Civic fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 75.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 75.0% | Not working |
| Suspension | 42.9% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 34.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 21.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.1% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 6.3% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 1.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Honda Civic: what to check
These checks follow the Honda Civic’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Honda Civic comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 87.2% to 74.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 87.0% down to 77.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 75.0% of failed Honda Civic MOTs. 37.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.3% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 42.9% of failed Honda Civic MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 25.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 34.1% of failed Honda Civic MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 17.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 21.0% of failed Honda Civic MOTs. 7.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 2.4% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.7% of failed Honda Civic MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Honda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Honda models
- Honda Jazz — 80.4% pass rate
- Honda CR-V — 81.2% pass rate
- Honda HR-V — 91.1% pass rate
- Honda Accord — 69.8% pass rate
- Honda Insight — 79.8% pass rate
- Honda Fit — 92.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda Civic?
- 75.1% of Honda Civic MOT tests pass, based on 411,777 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda Civic?
- The most common reason the Honda Civic fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 75.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Honda Civic?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda Civic are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 37.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.3% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda Civic?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Honda Civic's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Honda service history guide for how to check and keep one.