Honda Civic (2009)
2009 Honda Civic
CarHunch analysed 25,198 real MOT records for the 2009 Honda Civic. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Honda Civic falls slightly short of the UK average with a 76.3% first-time pass rate, and nearly half of these cars (46.6%) have suffered a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern for prospective buyers. Petrol models edge ahead of diesel versions (76.8% versus 74.8% pass rate), suggesting the petrol engine is marginally more robust over time.
With a median mileage of 68,000 for a 15-year-old car, these Civics are reasonably well-used but not clapped out, yet they're averaging 4.2 failures per test and racking up 21.8 advisories, indicating aging systems and wear are mounting. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, cooling, and exhaust components—the advisory count suggests these areas deteriorate significantly in this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 Honda Civic
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.
- ⚠️ 46.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (69%) | 17,493 | 76.8% | 4.16 |
| Diesel (28%) | 7,103 | 74.8% | 4.36 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (1%) | 290 | 80.6% | 3.41 |
| Electric (1%) | 160 | 82.1% | 2.52 |
| Other (1%) | 148 | 82.5% | 2.68 |
| Fuel Cells (0%) | 2 | 79.6% | 4 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 81.3% | 3 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 87.5% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Honda Civic vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2009 Honda Civic vehicles fall between 52,816 and 83,915 miles.
2009 Honda Civic — Still on the Road
16,738 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2009 Honda Civic
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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64.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.3%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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60.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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50.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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37.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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32.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Civic?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.