Used car guide

2015 Honda Civic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Honda Civics, from 14,922 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,922MOT tests in 2025
79%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
7,500typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Honda Civics than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Track rod end1.7× usual
    Honda Civic
    6.2% All 2015 cars
    3.6%
    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.

  • Headlamp1.6× usual
    Honda Civic
    3.3% All 2015 cars
    2.1%
    Rough price £40–£400

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

  • Ball joint dust cover1.5× usual
    Honda Civic
    2.7% All 2015 cars
    1.8%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

Better than most

Coil springs: 0.7% here, against 5.4% of all 2015 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3% here, against 7.1% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Honda Civic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    22% 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
    15% 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
    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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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%
201414,323Tyres 31%
201315,114Tyres 31%
201212,860Tyres 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 2015 Honda Civics registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score