Honda Civic SR Vtec MOT pass rate and common problems
95.0% of 4,235 Honda Civic SR Vtec MOT tests pass.
The Civic SR Vtec passes its MOT 95.0% of the time — well above the average across all Honda models, which sits at 79.4%.
The Honda Civic SR Vtec passes its MOT 95.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Honda Civic SR Vtec?
This is the average across every Honda Civic SR 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 96.3% at 0–3 years to 94.0% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.3% | 1,874 | 21,048 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.0% | 2,361 | 26,081 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Honda Civic SR Vtec
The most common reason the Honda Civic SR Vtec fails its MOT is visibility — present in 38.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 38.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 25.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 21.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.5% | Too high |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Suspension | 0.8% | Has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Honda Civic SR Vtec: what to check
These checks follow the Honda Civic SR 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 SR Vtec comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 96.3% to 94.0%. 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: 91.3% down to 86.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 38.9% of failed Honda Civic SR 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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 25.8% of failed Honda Civic SR 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 21.1% of failed Honda Civic SR 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.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 14.5% of failed Honda Civic SR 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.
5. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 4.4% of failed Honda Civic SR Vtec MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
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 Stepwagon — 84.3% pass rate
- Honda CR-Z — 81.2% pass rate
- Honda Civic Sport Vtec — 95.6% pass rate
- Honda Integra — 89.6% pass rate
- Honda E — 92.6% pass rate
- Honda Prelude — 72.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Honda Civic SR Vtec?
- 95.0% of Honda Civic SR Vtec MOT tests pass, based on 4,235 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Honda Civic SR Vtec?
- The most common reason the Honda Civic SR Vtec fails its MOT is visibility — present in 38.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Honda Civic SR Vtec?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Honda Civic SR Vtec are windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Honda Civic SR Vtec?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes; lights and electrics; number plates and vin. 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 SR 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.