Honda Civic: what fails at MOT
349,000 MOT tests on the Honda Civic in 2024, counted. 29.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
29.4% of Honda Civic tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 30.4%, so the Civic is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (10.9% of tests), suspension (6.1% of tests) and brakes (5.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,354 | 6.9% | 10.9% | 20,400 14,200 to 28,000 |
| 2020 | 10,160 | 9.5% | 11.5% | 26,000 18,300 to 36,300 |
| 2019 | 22,021 | 11.8% | 13.4% | 35,200 25,400 to 47,000 |
| 2018 | 22,853 | 14.0% | 15.6% | 43,200 31,900 to 55,800 |
| 2017 | 23,252 | 14.3% | 18.2% | 48,200 35,100 to 62,400 |
| 2016 | 22,589 | 16.5% | 21.3% | 58,200 41,800 to 77,700 |
| 2015 | 20,471 | 18.5% | 24.4% | 67,600 49,000 to 89,500 |
| 2014 | 19,355 | 22.7% | 27.7% | 76,000 55,300 to 100,600 |
| 2013 | 20,428 | 25.6% | 30.6% | 86,500 63,900 to 111,000 |
| 2012 | 17,868 | 28.5% | 33.4% | 89,200 67,800 to 114,100 |
| 2011 | 13,332 | 40.5% | 36.1% | 88,900 68,800 to 111,400 |
| 2010 | 19,895 | 42.7% | 38.6% | 99,800 77,300 to 124,800 |
| 2009 | 23,057 | 42.4% | 39.8% | 107,100 84,100 to 132,200 |
| 2008 | 26,071 | 43.9% | 41.5% | 113,800 91,100 to 138,500 |
| 2007 | 28,688 | 44.0% | 41.5% | 118,900 95,600 to 143,100 |
| 2006 | 17,171 | 45.6% | 42.4% | 121,900 97,700 to 147,500 |
| 2005 | 17,953 | 42.3% | 42.2% | 109,700 84,200 to 135,300 |
| 2004 | 15,480 | 42.7% | 42.3% | 112,100 86,800 to 139,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Honda Civic tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Civic | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.9% | 8.9% | |
| Suspension | 6.1% | 7.2% | |
| Brakes | 5.1% | 5.3% | |
| Tyres | 4.3% | 4.4% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.5% | 3.4% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.7% | 2.6% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.7% | 3.0% | Less than most |
| Steering | 1.2% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim3.6%
- Side light3.4%
- Headlamp2.9%
- Tyre2.5%
- Brake light2.1%
- Brake pads2.0%
- Washers1.9%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Wipers1.5%
- Shock absorbers1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working3.3%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.4%
- Brake light: not working2.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.2%
- Coil spring: corroded3.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.9%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Honda Civic's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.