2016 Honda Civic: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Honda Civics, from 16,113 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Honda Civics than on all cars registered in 2016.
- Headlamp1.9× usualHonda Civic3.2% All 2016 cars1.7%Rough price £40–£400
At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
- Wipers1.6× usualHonda Civic3.9% All 2016 cars2.5%Rough price £15–£60
At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.4% here, against 6.1% of all 2016 cars. Coil springs: 0.7% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.
By area
The share of 2016 Honda Civic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres29% 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.
- Brakes21% 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.
- Lights and electrics11% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension11% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors7% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 12,546 | Tyres 27% |
| 2018 | 13,500 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 14,518 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 14,922 | Tyres 30% |
| 2014 | 14,323 | Tyres 31% |
| 2013 | 15,114 | Tyres 31% |
| 2012 | 12,860 | Tyres 31% |
| 2011 | 10,849 | Suspension 42% |
| 2010 | 15,913 | Suspension 49% |
| 2009 | 17,536 | Suspension 52% |
| 2008 | 18,388 | Suspension 53% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Honda Civics registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score