Comparison · family hatchbacks
Vauxhall Astra vs Honda Civic: which is more reliable?
The Honda Civic does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 98 for the Vauxhall Astra, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 896,125 real MOT tests in 2024.
Vauxhall Astra
Honda Civic
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Vauxhall Astra | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 99About average | 103Above average |
| 6–9 years | 98About average | 107Above average |
| 10–14 years | 100About average | 104Above average |
| 15+ years | 94Below average | 96Below average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Vauxhall Astra | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87.5% | 92.1% |
| 2020 | 86.3% | 89.5% |
| 2019 | 84.0% | 86.7% |
| 2018 | 80.8% | 84.2% |
| 2017 | 79.7% | 84.5% |
| 2016 | 76.5% | 82.7% |
| 2015 | 69.6% | 81.0% |
| 2014 | 67.4% | 77.0% |
| 2013 | 66.9% | 73.4% |
| 2012 | 65.2% | 70.8% |
| 2011 | 62.2% | 58.8% |
| 2010 | 59.4% | 55.7% |
| 2009 | 55.9% | 55.6% |
| 2008 | 54.6% | 54.8% |
| 2007 | 53.5% | 54.5% |
| 2006 | 51.8% | 54.0% |
| 2005 | 52.2% | 56.0% |
| 2004 | 53.9% | 55.2% |
| 2003 | 55.8% | 53.2% |
| 2002 | 53.1% | 54.2% |
| 2001 | 56.3% | 52.9% |
| 2000 | 56.3% | 63.4% |
| 1999 | 52.9% | 61.1% |
| 1998 | 56.3% | 58.4% |
| 1997 | 60.8% | 59.8% |
| 1996 | 62.5% | 58.7% |
| 1995 | 64.3% | 70.6% |
| 1994 | 65.5% | 74.3% |
| 1993 | 71.5% | 74.1% |
| 1991 | 86.9% | 76.9% |
| 1990 | 85.3% | 75.0% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Vauxhall Astra | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 17.8 | 25.7 |
| Suspension | 13.8 | 13.7 |
| Brakes | 13.9 | 12.2 |
| Tyres | 8.9 | 7.2 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 5.8 | 5.7 |
| Emissions & leaks | 7.0 | 4.1 |
| Body & chassis | 5.1 | 3.6 |
| Steering | 1.1 | 2.1 |
Vauxhall Astra: top failures
Honda Civic: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Astra or the Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 98 for the Vauxhall Astra, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the Vauxhall Astra and Honda Civic can be compared?
Both were tested for 31 registration years (1990–2021). The Vauxhall Astra had the higher pass rate in 9 of them and the Honda Civic in 22.
What fails most on each?
Vauxhall Astra: coil spring: fractured or broken; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Honda Civic: position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect.