Used car guide

2012 Honda Civic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Honda Civics, from 12,860 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,860MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,300typical miles a year
1.5×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Honda Civics than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Brake pads1.5× usual
    Honda Civic
    14.7% All 2012 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Track rod end1.6× usual
    Honda Civic
    7.8% All 2012 cars
    4.9%
    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.

  • Position lamp1.6× usual
    Honda Civic
    7.8% All 2012 cars
    5%
    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover1.8× usual
    Honda Civic
    5.3% All 2012 cars
    2.9%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-lock braking system4.4× usual
    Honda Civic
    2.2% All 2012 cars
    0.5%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.3% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Honda Civic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    27% 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.

  • Suspension
    27% 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
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% 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
    4% 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?

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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%
201110,849Suspension 42%
201015,913Suspension 49%
200917,536Suspension 52%
200818,388Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Honda Civics registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score