Honda Civic weak points: what to check when buying used

Which Civic you are looking at

The recent generations are the eighth (2005–2011), the ninth (2011–2015), the tenth (2015–2021) and the eleventh (from 2021); sedans, hatchbacks and coupés differ by market. The petrol engines you will meet most are the 1.8 (R18) of the eighth and ninth generations, the 2.0 and the 1.5 turbo of the tenth and eleventh, and in Europe also a 1.4, a 1.6 diesel and hybrids. The registration document or a VIN decode tells you which one this car has.

Engine: what to check

• 1.8 (R18A), 2006–2009: some engine blocks cracked and leaked coolant, and Honda extended the warranty on affected cars. Check the coolant level when cold, look for crust or wet coolant at the back of the engine, ask how often it is topped up and look for overheating. Ask whether the block was replaced.
• 1.5 turbo (L15B7), tenth generation: in cold climates and on short trips, petrol gets into the oil. A dipstick level above the top mark and oil that smells of petrol are the signs. Honda updated the software and extended the warranty on some cars; ask by VIN.
• 2.0 and 1.8 in general: a simple engine; check the oil, the coolant and that the idle is steady. On high-mileage cars the engine mounts wear and cause vibration.
• Cold start: see Cold start: what to listen for and look at.

Gearbox, air conditioning and suspension

• CVT (tenth and eleventh generations): it should move off without judder and accelerate without a whine or slipping. Ask when its fluid was changed.
• Five-speed automatic (older cars): gear changes without jerks or flares; ask about fluid changes.
• Air conditioning on 2016–2018 cars: condensers that could leak refrigerant through tiny holes; Honda extended their warranty in the US. Check that it blows cold within a minute; weak cooling usually means a leak.
• Air conditioning on older cars: a failing compressor clutch is a common complaint; listen for clicks and check that it cools.
• Rear tyres on the eighth generation: uneven wear on the inside edge of the rear tyres has been reported; look at the tyres and ask about alignment.

Recalls, body and history

• Airbags: older Civics were among the many cars recalled for airbag inflators that could rupture. Check by VIN that every airbag recall was done; do not buy a car with an open one.
• Accident repairs: the Civic is popular with young drivers; check the paint thickness and the gaps; see How to check a car’s paint and accident damage.
• Modified cars: lowered suspension, aftermarket exhausts, engine tuning and a heavy clutch can mean hard use. Ask for the original parts.
• Flood damage: see How to tell if a car has been in a flood.

Before you pay

Ask a Honda dealer by VIN about open recalls, warranty extensions and the service history; in the US you can also check open recalls on the NHTSA website. Do the whole inspection from How to check a used car before you buy it and the drive from the used car test drive checklist. Use what you find to negotiate.