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Honda Civic reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL / UNKNOWN / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

Honda Civic built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Honda Civics built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Honda Civic by number plate

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Honda Civics built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Honda Civics built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Honda Civic's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Civic's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Civic Mk11 (FL)

Mk11 (FL) (2022-present)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

9.0% fail rate, built around 2022 (3 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 10 MOTs, 10.1%)

From 3,047 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Civic Mk10 (FK/FL)

Mk10 (FK/FL) (2017-2021)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

13.9% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 15,309 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Civic Mk9 (FK)

Mk9 (FK) (2012-2016)

Excellent
PETROLDIESEL

16.5% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 18,927 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Civic Mk8 (FN/FK)

Mk8 (FN/FK) (2006-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRICUNKNOWNELECTRICITY

31.2% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 18,262 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL

32.5% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 10,846 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Honda Civic.

See every build year for the Honda Civic

Side-by-side

Honda Civic generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk11 (FL) (2022-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings9.0%built around 2022 (3 years old)from 3,047 MOT tests at this age
Mk10 (FK/FL) (2017-2021)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings13.9%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 15,309 MOT tests at this age
Mk9 (FK) (2012-2016)
Excellent
Excellent16.5%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 18,927 MOT tests at this age
Mk8 (FN/FK) (2006-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings31.2%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 18,262 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating32.5%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 10,846 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Civic, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Honda Civic fail rate by age

This chart combines every Honda Civic ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
3,0479.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
5,42911.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8,81011.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
15,79212.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15,30913.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
17,67014.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
18,92716.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
18,17318.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,39120.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
19,06822.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
15,93326.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
18,26231.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
24,13932.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
23,40132.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
27,58133.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
21,88633.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
14,99932.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
14,07731.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
10,84632.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
8,41133.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
6,69732.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
3,71031.5%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
7,31826.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Honda Civic stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Honda models

4th of 4

The highest fail rate of the 4 Honda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

17th of 84

17th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

13.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Honda Civics

These issues come from 7-year-old Honda Civics, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.1%
    Advisory: 3,890Fail: 393 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.0%
    Advisory: 2,751Fail: 394 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.2%
    Advisory: 1,954Fail: 259 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    4.7%
    Advisory: 988Fail: 12 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    3.3%
    Advisory: 437Fail: 185 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 15,309 MOT tests on 7-year-old Honda Civics, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Honda Civics notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres40%
  2. Other + Tyres20%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers15%
  4. Brakes + Other15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,348 MOT tests on Honda Civic cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

73 recalls in all

36 of the 73 Honda Civic recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 Critical
  • 26 more

Top concerns

  • 23YM Civic Lithium-Ion battery negative terminal defect
  • Inner pressure of the inflator may irregularly rise upon airbag deployment rupturing the inflator container
  • Side airbag may fail to deploy as intended

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Ka

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.3%

    No clear edge over the Honda Civic on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    14,260 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Kia Rio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.5%, against 2.3% for the Honda Civic.

    7,421 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Abarth 595

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.5%

    No clear edge over the Honda Civic on these figures.

    4,000 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Giulietta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    No clear edge over the Honda Civic on these figures.

    1,308 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Honda Civic across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. It has the highest fail rate of the 4 Honda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 15,309 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Honda Civic ever sold: 338,538 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 15,309 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.