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Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOT pass rate and common problems

95.6% of 4,878 Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOT tests pass.

The Civic Sport Vtec passes its MOT 95.6% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.

The Honda Civic Sport Vtec passes its MOT 95.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.

Own this Honda Civic Sport Vtec?

This is the average across every Honda Civic Sport Vtec 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 eases gradually with age, from 96.5% at 0–3 years to 92.9% at 3–6 years.

Pass rate by vehicle age band0–3 years96.5%3–6 years92.9%6–10 yearsn/a10–15 yearsn/a15+ yearsn/a
Honda Civic Sport Vtec pass rate and average mileage by vehicle age band
Vehicle agePass rateTestsAverage mileage
0–3 years96.5%3,65522,412 miles
3–6 years92.9%1,22327,538 miles
6–10 yearsno tests recorded0no reading
10–15 yearsno tests recorded0no reading
15+ yearsno tests recorded0no reading

Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda Civic Sport Vtec

The most common reason the Honda Civic Sport Vtec fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".

Top MOT failure categories for the Honda Civic Sport Vtec
CategoryShare of failed testsExample
Tyres37.8%Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Visibility34.2%Does not clear the windscreen effectively
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment15.2%Too high
Brakes12.8%Less than 1.5 mm thick
Suspension3.3%Has a serious fluid leak
Body, chassis, structure1.5%Component damaged and likely to cause injury
Identification of the vehicle0.9%Does not conform to the specified requirements
Road Wheels0.9%Fixing missing
Noise, emissions and leaks0.6%Unable to be completed

Buying a used Honda Civic Sport Vtec: what to check

These checks follow the Honda Civic Sport Vtec’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 Sport Vtec comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 96.5% to 92.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.

By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 96.7% down to 92.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.

  1. 1. Tyres

    Recorded in 37.8% of failed Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOTs.

    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.

  2. 2. Windscreen and wipers

    Recorded in 34.2% of failed Honda Civic Sport Vtec 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.

  3. 3. Lights and electrics

    Recorded in 15.2% of failed Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOTs.

    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.

  4. 4. Brakes

    Recorded in 12.8% of failed Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOTs.

    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.

  5. 5. Suspension

    Recorded in 3.3% of failed Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOTs.

    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.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda Civic Sport Vtec?
95.6% of Honda Civic Sport Vtec MOT tests pass, based on 4,878 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda Civic Sport Vtec?
The most common reason the Honda Civic Sport Vtec fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
What are the common problems with the Honda Civic Sport Vtec?
Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda Civic Sport Vtec are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics.
What should I check when buying a used Honda Civic Sport Vtec?
Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 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 Sport Vtec'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.