87.3%
pass rate across 50,706 tests
85.6% first-time pass rate
69,021 mi median at test
Honda Civic 2015 vs 2018
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 95,042 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
89.5%
pass rate across 44,336 tests
88.3% first-time pass rate
43,399 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2018 Civic passes more — but most of it is age
Across 95,042 tests, the 2018 Civic passes 89.5% of MOTs and the 2015 87.3%. The 2018 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 43,399 miles against 69,021, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2018 is +1.6 points and the 2015 +5.2 — a like-for-like gap of −3.6 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £21–£53 on the 2015 and £29–£69 on the 2018. Failures on the newer year cost more to put right. Repairs under £30 account for 39% of the 2015's recorded faults and 42% of the 2018's. The most common failing part is ball joint on the 2015 and wiper blade on the 2018. The 2018 sample is 44,336 tests, so treat the gap as indicative rather than settled.
- Pass rate: 87.3% vs 89.5%
- Tests: 50,706 vs 44,336
- Like-for-like: +5.2 vs +1.6 pts
- Median mileage: 69,021 vs 43,399 mi
- Typical repair: £21–£53 vs £29–£69
- Cheap fixes: 39% vs 42%
| Measure | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 50,706 | 44,336 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 87.3% | 89.5% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 85.6% | 88.3% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | +5.2 pts stronger figure | +1.6 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | +5.2 pts stronger figure | +1.6 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 73,410 mi | 46,621 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 69,021 mi | 43,399 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £21–£53 stronger figure | £29–£69 |
| Repairs under £30 | 39% | 42% stronger figure |
| Most common failing part | Ball Joint | Wiper Blade |
| Variants recorded | 1 | 1 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 52% | Petrol 80% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2015 Civic
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt 3.9% £18–£45
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 3.1% £5–£20
- Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated 1.8% £18–£45
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.8% £18–£45
- Wipers blade defective 1.4% £8–£22
2018 Civic
- Wipers blade defective 1.6% £8–£22
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.5% £8–£22
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.5% £80–£200
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.4% £18–£45
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.4% £45–£95
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 93.8% · 3,347 tests | 92.9% · 9,778 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 90.7% · 15,925 tests | 89.4% · 24,654 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 86.6% · 17,921 tests | 86.5% · 8,139 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 83.2% · 9,059 tests | 85.9% · 1,395 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 81.8% · 4,391 tests | 83.8% · 364 tests |
What to check before you buy
2015 Honda Civic
- Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt — 3.9% of tests · £18–£45
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 3.1% of tests · £5–£20
- Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated — 1.8% of tests · £18–£45
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2018 Honda Civic
- Wipers blade defective — 1.6% of tests · £8–£22
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively — 1.5% of tests · £8–£22
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 1.5% of tests · £80–£200
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Honda Civic? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Honda Civic →
Or put the Civic against another model: Compare the Honda Civic side by side →