Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

22% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck reliable?

Based on MOT data from 646 vehicles, the 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck has a first-time MOT pass rate of 65.6%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Honda Civic Aerodeck (1998)

646 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.6% first-time pass rate

1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck

CarHunch analysed 646 real MOT records for the 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck passes its MOT first time only 65.6% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in five examples (21.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuine safety concern for buyers. This is an aging car with real structural or mechanical weaknesses that prospective owners should take seriously.

At an average mileage of 101,574 km for a 26-year-old model, these cars are typical for their age, but they're also racking up serious wear: the average vehicle accumulates 3.67 failures and 14.3 advisories during MOT testing. Before committing to one, have a trusted mechanic inspect it thoroughly, paying particular attention to brakes, suspension, and bodywork corrosion—the advisory count suggests widespread deterioration rather than one or two fixable problems.

The 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck has a below-average first-time pass rate (65.6% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

65.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

21.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.67

Over 10.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

99k

Middle half: 79k–119k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 14.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 646 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 646 Honda Civic Aerodeck cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck

Based on MOT data from 646 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	645	65.6%	3.67

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,135 Honda Civic Aerodeck vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 33.1%

1,368

Black 18.3%

757

Blue 17.3%

715

Red 16.6%

687

Green 12.6%

523

White 1.5%

Grey 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Bronze 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

98,744

typical

78,910

low mileage

119,488

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck vehicles fall between 78,910 and 119,488 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 78,910 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 78,910–119,488 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Honda Civic Aerodecks sit.

⚠ Over 161,308 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 13% of 1998 Honda Civic Aerodecks are still active.

Numbers are declining — 19 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (13% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

10.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.67

Avg failures per vehicle

14.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Honda Civic Aerodeck: All Civic Aerodeck years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001

Or browse all models: Honda →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Honda Civic Aerodeck stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on