2023 Honda Civic: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Honda Civics, from 110 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 110 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2023 Honda Civic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres10% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions1% 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 electrics1% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes1% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,408 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 4,879 | Tyres 24% |
| 2020 | 5,557 | Tyres 25% |
| 2019 | 12,616 | Tyres 27% |
| 2018 | 13,501 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 14,519 | Tyres 28% |
| 2016 | 16,113 | Tyres 29% |
| 2015 | 14,922 | Tyres 30% |
| 2014 | 14,323 | Tyres 31% |
| 2013 | 15,114 | Tyres 31% |
| 2012 | 12,861 | Tyres 31% |
| 2011 | 10,851 | Suspension 42% |
| 2010 | 15,916 | Suspension 49% |
| 2009 | 17,540 | Suspension 52% |
| 2008 | 18,395 | Suspension 53% |
| 2007 | 19,084 | Suspension 56% |
| 2006 | 11,633 | Suspension 59% |
| 2005 | 11,046 | Suspension 52% |
| 2004 | 9,115 | Suspension 53% |
| 2003 | 6,408 | Suspension 56% |
| 2002 | 5,574 | Suspension 54% |
| 2001 | 3,779 | Suspension 55% |
| 2000 | 1,474 | Suspension 46% |
| 1999 | 1,205 | Suspension 44% |
| 1998 | 918 | Suspension 46% |
| 1997 | 809 | Suspension 47% |
| 1996 | 520 | Suspension 42% |
| 1995 | 332 | Suspension 37% |
| 1994 | 235 | Suspension 30% |
| 1993 | 189 | Suspension 31% |
| 1992 | 192 | Suspension 32% |
| 1991 | 228 | Suspension 31% |
| 1990 | 125 | Suspension 30% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Honda Civics registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score