2012 Honda Civic: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Honda Civic?

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

• Anti-lock braking system4× usual
  Honda Civic

  2% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.5% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

• Ball joint dust cover1.7× usual
  Honda Civic

  4% All 2012 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

• Flexible brake hoses1.8× usual
  Honda Civic

  2.1% All 2012 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2012 Honda Civic MOT failures and advisories

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
  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
  25% 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 electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  22% 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 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
  3% 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.

Known faults on the 2012 Honda Civic

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Clutch-start software recall (early diesels)

  Diesel built up to Sept 2012

  A small number of diesels built up to September 2012 could start in gear without the clutch pressed. Honda fixed it with a software update.

  At the viewing: Ask a Honda dealer to confirm the update was done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Honda Civic Mk9

• Automatic wipers that stop working

  All engines

  The rain-sensing wipers can stop working properly. Fixes range from a battery reset to a new sensor or a software update.

  At the viewing: Switch the wipers to auto and spray the windscreen.

  Source: Auto Express: used Honda Civic Mk9

• Uneven panel gaps

  All engines

  Some owners report uneven gaps between panels, especially around the tailgate. It can also hide a past repair, so it's worth a close look.

  At the viewing: Look along the tailgate and doors for gaps that differ side to side.

  Source: Auto Express: used Honda Civic Mk9

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Honda Civic

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the engine software recall been done?
2. Have the wipers or rain sensor had any work?
3. Has the car had any bodywork?
4. Any recent work on the anti-lock braking system? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2012 Honda Civic as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 Honda Civic as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Honda Civic as on other cars the same age.)