Used car guide

1993 Honda Civic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1993 Honda Civics, from 189 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 189 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

189MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 69%)
3,000typical miles a year
31%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1993 Honda Civic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    31% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    20% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    14% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    11% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023110Tyres 10%
20221,408Tyres 18%
20214,879Tyres 24%
20205,557Tyres 25%
201912,616Tyres 27%
201813,501Tyres 26%
201714,519Tyres 28%
201616,113Tyres 29%
201514,922Tyres 30%
201414,323Tyres 31%
201315,114Tyres 31%
201212,861Tyres 31%
201110,851Suspension 42%
201015,916Suspension 49%
200917,540Suspension 52%
200818,395Suspension 53%
200719,084Suspension 56%
200611,633Suspension 59%
200511,046Suspension 52%
20049,115Suspension 53%
20036,408Suspension 56%
20025,574Suspension 54%
20013,779Suspension 55%
20001,474Suspension 46%
19991,205Suspension 44%
1998918Suspension 46%
1997809Suspension 47%
1996520Suspension 42%
1995332Suspension 37%
1994235Suspension 30%
1992192Suspension 32%
1991228Suspension 31%
1990125Suspension 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1993 Honda Civics registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score