Diesel Honda Civic: MOT pass rate

74.3% of diesel Honda Civics pass the MOT first time, measured across 63,043 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 109,653.

Diesel against the other Honda Civic versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Honda Civic specifically, electric is the strongest at 78.4%, and this diesel version sits 0.4 points above the 73.9% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Honda Civic had covered 109,653 miles at test, against 88,452 for the petrol and 115,993 for the hybrid and 119,937 for the electric. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Honda Civic page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Honda Civic

1. Warning device shows system malfunction, 1.5% of tests (3.57x the national rate for this defect)
2. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 6.3% of tests (2.66x the national rate for this defect)
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.3% of tests (2.46x the national rate for this defect)
4. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 4.2% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4% of tests (1.86x the national rate for this defect)
6. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.1% of tests (1.69x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.5% of tests (1.38x the national rate for this defect)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.3% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.2% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)

From 63,360 DVSA-tracked diesel Honda Civic tests, 2024, split out from the Honda Civic's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.7% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Honda Civic

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.1% of tests (2.79x the national rate for this defect)
2. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.9% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
3. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 5.1% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.9% of tests (1.88x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 16% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.9% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 6.1% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 32.4% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.9% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 14.3% of tests

From 63,360 DVSA-tracked diesel Honda Civic tests, 2024.

Other Honda Civic fuel types

• Petrol Honda Civic - 73.8%
• Hybrid Honda Civic - 78%
• Electric Honda Civic - 78.4%

All Honda Civic MOT data · Every model