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Honda Civic: common problems & condition

143
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
57/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100
51%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%



Across 143 used Honda Civics we inspected, this model scores a little below average — average condition 57/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Fuel trim out of range · Engine
59%
Oil leaks · Engine
51%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
43%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
36%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
34%

Share of inspected Honda Civics where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 15% Good 36% Mediocre 22% Poor 27%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.

85%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
8%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
1%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
How long does a Civic stay good?
Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 0–20k mi: 100% in good shape (7 cars) 40–60k mi: 80% in good shape (15 cars) 60–80k mi: 67% in good shape (18 cars) 80–100k mi: 54% in good shape (24 cars) 100–120k mi: 47% in good shape (15 cars) 120–140k mi: 43% in good shape (21 cars) 140–160k mi: 25% in good shape (24 cars) 160–180k mi: 33% in good shape (9 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 4 years old: 60% in good shape (5 cars) 5 years old: 88% in good shape (8 cars) 6 years old: 27% in good shape (11 cars) 7 years old: 71% in good shape (21 cars) 8 years old: 38% in good shape (8 cars) 9 years old: 89% in good shape (9 cars) 10 years old: 55% in good shape (20 cars) 11 years old: 60% in good shape (10 cars) 12 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 15 years old: 0% in good shape (6 cars) 16 years old: 0% in good shape (10 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Honda Civics in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.

What else does ~$13k buy? A used Honda Civic typically sells for around $13,256 — compare the odds of getting a good car across every make at that budget. Compare →
More on Honda
Fit 31 cars · 71% good CR-V 86 cars · 52% good Odyssey 52 cars · 52% good Pilot 45 cars · 40% good Accord 115 cars · 37% good

Other Honda models we've inspected — or see the full Honda profile.

Straight from recent Honda Civic reports

2020 Honda Civic · 38k mi — flagged: oil leaks, signs of airbag deployment, tires condition & wear. Inspected Aug 17.
2016 Honda Civic · 139k mi — flagged: fuel trim out of range, oil leaks, tires condition & wear. Inspected Aug 5.
The bottom line

These Civics carry a lot of hidden body work and engine trouble. Check the engine first for fuel-trim issues, oil leaks and cooling problems, because those keep showing up and they get expensive. Have a body expert look for accident repairs too, since repaints are extremely common and structural work happens more often than it should. Worn tires and leftover error codes give you room to negotiate, but walk away from any car with frame damage or an already leaking motor.

FAQ
?
Is the Honda Civic reliable?
51% of the 143 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 57/100 — it scores a little below average.
?
What are the most common problems on a used Honda Civic?
The items we flag most often are fuel trim out of range (59%), oil leaks (51%), tires condition & wear (43%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 1% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Honda Civic? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 143 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026