2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Honda Civic MOT pass rate and common faults

19,687 MOT tests in 2024. 54.8% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.8%
Failed or needed repairs45.2%
Typical mileage at test114,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 19,687 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working8.6%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.4%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    1,078 marked dangerous
  5. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  6. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.2%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
    717 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics41.2%
  2. Suspension25.8%
  3. Brakes16.2%
  4. Tyres8.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.3%
  6. Body & chassis5.1%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.5%
  8. Steering3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.7%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.6%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened9.7%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak9.5%

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 2008 Honda Civic?

In 2024, 54.8% of 2008 Honda Civic cars passed their MOT first time, across 19,687 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Honda Civic?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Honda Civic reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).