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Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) (2017-2021) reliability

At a glance

Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) models 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 Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2017-2021HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 58,066 tests of Civic models registered 2017-2021.

About 1 in 40 Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) MOTs (2.3%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 15,309 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) MOTs (5.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 15,309 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk10 (FK/FL) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
2,10310.0%
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
10,62314.3%

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 8 years old.

How the Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) compares

At each age below, see how the Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 55,758 tests across 6 Honda models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
2,10310.0%
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
10,62314.3%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Civic Mk10 (FK/FL).

  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 Mk10 (FK/FL) 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 Mk10 (FK/FL).

    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 Mk10 (FK/FL) 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 Mk10 (FK/FL) 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.

Recall context

73 recalls in all

6 of the 73 Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Side airbag may fail to deploy as intended
  • Civic wheel steel bushes missing (accessory)
  • Vehicles may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellars

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

What has gone wrong on Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 893 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
4%
Emissions
1%

Wear items

Tyres
19%
Brakes
11%
Lighting
6%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Civic tests (not specific to Mk10 (FK/FL)).

Under 1.0 litre14.5%7,158 tests1.0 to 1.4 litresToo few tests to rely on82 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres11.4%5,558 tests
How Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) cars have aged

How Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%345678Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (3,145 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (3,061 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.5% (3,931 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (3,862 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (3,788 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.5% (9,981 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.7% (9,535 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (9,505 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (9,323 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (10,429 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (9,890 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (9,573 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (9,344 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.4% (9,035 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (11,787 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (11,349 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (10,951 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (10,769 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (10,623 tests, 2025 data)2017
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk10 (FK/FL) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk10 (FK/FL) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension1%1%4%6%
Brakes4%8%11%16%
Emissions1%1%1%1%
Tyres10%14%19%22%
Lighting4%4%6%8%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figureNo figure1%
Steering1%No figureNo figure1%
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 162 to 1,026 cars at each age.

Mk10 (FK/FL) variants compared

Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • CIVIC13.2%12,818 tests

Diesel

  • CIVIC17.7%2,488 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Honda Civics of this age

This list covers every Honda Civic built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk10 (FK/FL) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Honda Civic Mk10 (FK/FL) (2017-2021) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 15,309 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 58,066 MOT tests on Honda Civics first registered between 2017-2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.