Used car guide

2009 Honda Civic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Honda Civics, from 17,536 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

17,536MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,000typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for headlamp

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Honda Civics than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Headlamp2.5× usual
    Honda Civic
    20.4% All 2009 cars
    8.3%
    Rough price £40–£400

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Honda Civic
    16.4% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Track rod end2.3× usual
    Honda Civic
    12.6% All 2009 cars
    5.4%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlamp aim1.8× usual
    Honda Civic
    9.4% All 2009 cars
    5.1%
    Rough price £20–£60

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Stop lamp1.6× usual
    Honda Civic
    8.5% All 2009 cars
    5.4%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.2% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Honda Civic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% 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
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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.

Looking at a Honda Civic?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201912,546Tyres 27%
201813,500Tyres 26%
201714,518Tyres 28%
201616,113Tyres 29%
201514,922Tyres 30%
201414,323Tyres 31%
201315,114Tyres 31%
201212,860Tyres 31%
201110,849Suspension 42%
201015,913Suspension 49%
200818,388Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Honda Civics registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score