Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto?

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 1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto?

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 1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto?

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 Gl Auto (1989)

1,139 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.1% first-time pass rate

1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto

CarHunch analysed 1,139 real MOT records for the 1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1989 Honda Civic GL Auto is essentially non-viable as a used purchase: just 10% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and the petrol version shows a 0% pass rate. However, the zero dangerous defects and zero average failures per vehicle suggest these aren't safety nightmares—they're simply very old cars that need multiple visits to pass inspection for wear-related issues.

With an average mileage of 87,510 miles at 35 years old, these Civics are light runners, which helps explain why they survive at all. If you're considering one, treat it as a project requiring patience and a trusted mechanic rather than a quick fix; budget for several MOT attempts and be prepared for deferred maintenance across brakes, suspension, and emissions.

Below average reliability 79.9% below UK average

0.1%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 Honda Civic Gl Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Honda Civic Gl Auto

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	1,138	0%	0
Other (0%)	1	100%	0

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Honda Civic Gl Auto?

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Other model years — Honda Civic Gl Auto:

1987 1988 1990 1991 1992