Is the Honda Civic reliable?
51% of the 152 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 57/100 — it scores a little below average.
152
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections57/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10051%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 152 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
60%
Oil leaks · Engine
50%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
43%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
34%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
32%
Share of inspected Honda Civics where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 14%
Good 37%
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%
9%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
1%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Civic stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
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.
More on Honda
Fit
32 cars · 72% good
CR-V
98 cars · 55% good
Odyssey
59 cars · 52% good
Pilot
49 cars · 39% good
Accord
121 cars · 37% good
Other Honda models we've inspected — or see the full Honda profile.
Straight from recent Honda Civic reports
2012 Honda Civic · 159k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fuel trim out of range, dirty or low transmission fluid. Inspected Oct 5.
2018 Honda Civic · 80k mi — flagged: fuel trim out of range, signs of recent repair, wheel bearings. Inspected Oct 2.
The bottom line
Expect a resprayed Civic whose engine is the make-or-break item. Fuel-trim faults hit 60 percent of them, with oil leaks and cooling problems right behind, so your first hour belongs under the hood and on a scanner: hunt for leaks, read the fuel trims, and pressure-test the cooling system. Then meter every panel and demand a structural inspection, because resprays are the rule and structural repairs are more common than usual. Use tired rubber and any active codes to knock the price. If you find a wet motor or repaired structure, walk.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Honda Civic?
The items we flag most often are fuel trim out of range (60%), oil leaks (50%), tires condition & wear (43%). Have these checked before buying.
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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 152 inspections · updated Oct 11, 2026
