2021 Honda Civic Ex Vtec — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 589 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Honda Civic Ex Vtec, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 96.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.6% | 21 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.2% | 13 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 9 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 1 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.2% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 17 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 10 |
| 4 | Washers | 9 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.7% | 104 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 66 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 27 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 17 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 2 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 2 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 399 | 2.5% |
| 30-60k | 178 | 6.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 286 | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 294 | 4.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Civic Ex Vtec
Before buying a 2021 Honda Civic Ex Vtec, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 3.6% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (3.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Honda Civic Ex Vtecs pass their MOT?
96.3% of the 589 2021 Honda Civic Ex Vtec MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Honda Civic Ex Vtec?
Visibility, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by tyres (2.2%).
Does the 2021 Civic Ex Vtec get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.5% in the 0-30k band to 6.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 589 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.