Used car guide · 2012–2017

Honda Civic Mk9: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Honda Civic Mk9 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 263,819 MOT tests.

2013best year: 74% pass first time, 7 points above all 2013 cars
2016weakest year: 83% pass first time, 6 points above all 2016 cars
Sidelightsthe weak spot that shows up in 2 different years

Which Honda Civic Mk9 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Honda Civic Mk9, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

50%75%100%2012: 71% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 71% 2012*2013: 74% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 74% 20132014: 77% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 77% 20142015: 81% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%) 81% 20152016: 83% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%) 83% 20162017: 84% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%) 84% 2017*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2012*71%64% +7Anti-lock braking system 4× usual39,112
201374%67% +7Sidelights 1.7× usual45,597
201477%70% +7Sidelights 1.9× usual42,908
201581%74% +7Nothing unusual44,652
201683%77% +6Headlights 1.9× usual48,160
2017*84%80% +4Nothing unusual43,390

Common Honda Civic Mk9 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Sidelightsup to 1.9× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2014, 2013.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

What usually goes wrong with the Honda Civic Mk9?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Automatic wipers that stop working

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

    Check: Switch the wipers to auto and spray the windscreen.

    Source: Auto Express: used Honda Civic Mk9

  • Uneven panel gaps

    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.

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

    Source: Auto Express: used Honda Civic Mk9

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Honda Civic?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.