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Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) (2006-2011) reliability

At a glance

Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) models built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) right now?

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

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 30% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) models built around 2011 involves the tyres.

Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2006-2011HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY / UNKNOWN

Based on 131,252 tests of Civic models registered 2006-2011.

About 1 in 15 Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) MOTs (6.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2011 (14 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 18,262 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 15 Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) MOTs (6.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2011 (14 years old).

Based on 18,262 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk8 (FN/FK) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6,30430.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
18,26231.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
24,21932.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
23,58432.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
27,80733.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
22,05933.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
9,01733.1%

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 18 years old.

How the Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) compares

At each age below, see how the Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 64,196 tests across 8 Honda models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHonda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6,30430.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
18,26231.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
24,21932.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
23,58432.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
27,80733.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
22,05933.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
9,01733.1%

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 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.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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 Mk8 (FN/FK).

  1. 1

    Ford Fusion

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.6%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 27.1%, against 31.2% for the Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK), both built around 2011.

    4,794 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Nissan Note

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.7%
    Dangerous
    6.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.1%, against 6.6% for the Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK).

    17,134 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Ford Ka

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.6%
    Dangerous
    7.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.3%

    No clear edge over the Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) on these figures.

    21,606 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Chevrolet Aveo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    35%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.3%
    Dangerous
    7.3%

    No clear edge over the Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) on these figures.

    1,515 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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.

How many are still registered

96%of all Honda Civic cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

16 of the 73 Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Inner pressure of the inflator may irregularly rise upon airbag deployment rupturing the inflator container
  • Passenger airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • Airbag may fail to deploy correctly

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Civic tests (not specific to Mk8 (FN/FK)).

1.0 to 1.4 litres32.0%7,255 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres30.0%8,261 tests
How Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) cars have aged

How Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) 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.

0%10%20%30%1012141618Age at MOTBuilt around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (9,904 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (9,831 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (9,682 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (9,389 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (8,961 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (15,819 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (15,262 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (14,794 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (14,082 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (13,222 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (18,689 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (17,986 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (16,939 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (15,479 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (13,855 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (24,538 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (22,821 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (20,932 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (18,501 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (15,983 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (27,337 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (24,497 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (21,356 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (18,133 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (14,822 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (19,987 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (16,858 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (14,170 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (11,446 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (9,017 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008
Mk8 (FN/FK) variants compared

Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) variants built around 2011

The fail rate for each Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • CIVIC30.9%15,539 tests

Diesel

  • CIVIC33.0%2,645 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 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk8 (FN/FK) 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

    20.2%
    Advisory: 5,031Fail: 505 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    15.7%
    Advisory: 2,653Fail: 848 (24% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.7%
    Advisory: 3,214Fail: 399 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    12.2%
    Advisory: 2,845Fail: 80 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    12.2%
    Advisory: 2,409Fail: 705 (23% of the times it was found)

Based on 18,262 tests

Looking at a Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) (2006-2011) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 18,262 14-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 131,252 MOT tests on Honda Civics first registered between 2006-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.