Part of the Honda Civic Mk8 (2006–2012) guide: best and worst years compared.
2009 Honda Civic electric: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the electric Honda Civic first registered in 2009 (electric cars only): we looked at the 249 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 249 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Honda Civic electric?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Honda Civic electric than on all cars registered in 2009.
- Headlights2.5× usualHonda Civic17.3% All 2009 cars7%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 3.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Common 2009 Honda Civic electric MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2009 Honda Civic electric MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension41% 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 electrics35% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres27% 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.
- Brakes25% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors10% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Rust and bodywork8% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Known faults on the 2009 Honda Civic electric
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.
- All engines
Brake pedal recall
Cars built between August 2009 and April 2010 were recalled because a faulty pin in the brake pedal could lengthen stopping distances.
At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.
- All engines
Handbrake ratchet recall
There was a recall for a handbrake ratchet that could be faulty.
At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done, and check the handbrake holds firmly.
- All engines
Squealing brakes and quick-wearing rear pads
The brakes can squeal and the rear pads wear quickly, especially with cheap replacement pads.
At the viewing: Look at the rear pads and check the handbrake doesn’t pull up too far.
- All engines
Misty light units
Front and rear light units can mist up in damp weather because of poor seals and breathers.
At the viewing: Look for condensation inside the headlights and rear lights.
Source: Parkers: Honda Civic (2006-2011) used review, What Car?: Honda Civic (2006-2012) reliability
- All engines
Soft paint and interior rattles
The paint chips easily, and squeaks, rattles and worn seat bolsters are common.
At the viewing: Look over the paint for chips and listen for rattles on rough roads.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Honda Civic electric
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the brake pedal recall been done?
- Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2009 Honda Civic electric as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Honda Civic?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Honda Civic compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 106 | Tyres 9% |
| 2022 | 1,423 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 9,722 | Tyres 22% |
| 2020 | 16,717 | Tyres 23% |
| 2019 | 37,647 | Tyres 26% |
| 2018 | 40,248 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | 43,390 | Tyres 28% |
| 2016 | 48,160 | Tyres 29% |
| 2015 | 44,652 | Tyres 29% |
| 2014 | 42,908 | Tyres 30% |
| 2013 | 45,597 | Tyres 30% |
| 2012 | 39,112 | Tyres 30% |
| 2011 | 33,295 | Suspension 37% |
| 2010 | 50,086 | Suspension 44% |
| 2008 | 63,059 | Suspension 50% |
| 2007 | 68,363 | Suspension 53% |
| 2006 | 43,999 | Suspension 55% |
| 2005 | 38,412 | Suspension 50% |
| 2004 | 32,054 | Suspension 52% |
| 2003 | 23,129 | Suspension 54% |
| 2002 | 20,098 | Suspension 53% |
| 2001 | 13,821 | Suspension 55% |
| 2000 | 5,245 | Suspension 47% |
| 1999 | 4,379 | Suspension 45% |
| 1998 | 3,251 | Suspension 46% |
| 1997 | 2,753 | Suspension 46% |
| 1996 | 1,821 | Suspension 45% |
| 1995 | 1,143 | Suspension 38% |
| 1994 | 735 | Suspension 33% |
| 1993 | 601 | Suspension 32% |
| 1992 | 569 | Suspension 33% |
| 1991 | 687 | Suspension 32% |
| 1990 | 364 | Suspension 30% |
| 1989 | – | Too few tests |
| 1988 | – | Too few tests |
| 1987 | – | Too few tests |
| 1986 | – | Too few tests |
| 1985 | – | Too few tests |
| 1984 | – | Too few tests |
| 1983 | – | Too few tests |
| 1982 | – | Too few tests |
| 1979 | – | Too few tests |
| 1978 | – | Too few tests |
| 1977 | – | Too few tests |
| 1976 | – | Too few tests |
| 1975 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Honda Civic cars first registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score