2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Honda Civic MOT pass rate and common faults

10,458 MOT tests in 2024. 55.2% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time55.2%
Failed or needed repairs44.8%
Typical mileage at test109,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 10,458 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.9%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.0%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.9%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.6%
  7. Stop lamp: not working3.1%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.7%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    423 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics36.6%
  2. Suspension26.0%
  3. Brakes23.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks12.0%
  5. Body & chassis8.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.1%
  7. Tyres7.1%
  8. Steering3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.5%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Honda Civic?

In 2024, 55.2% of 2004 Honda Civic cars passed their MOT first time, across 10,458 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Honda Civic?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Honda Civic reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).