Car statistics by year
1998 Honda Civic
Honda Civic cars first registered in 1998: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 1998, so like is set against like.
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 60.3% All 1998 cars 67.1%
- Typical mileage at the MOT 94,600 miles; all 1998 cars 94,000
- Left at the end of 2025 2,827 22.8% of the 12,413 at the end of 2014
- Tests finding a dangerous defect 7.0% All 1998 cars 6.6%
- Tests with an advisory 66.9% All 1998 cars 59.6%
- MOT tests in 2025 910 normal tests in Great Britain
How do 1998 Honda Civics do at their MOT?
In 2025, at about 27 years old, 60.3% of 1998 Honda Civic MOT tests were passed first time, against 67.1% for all cars first registered in 1998. 1998 Honda Civics did worse than average for their age, by 6.8 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 58.2% of the time (all 1998 cars 65.9%).
MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Honda Civic vs all cars
Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Honda Civic bar with the all-cars bar beside it.
| First registered | Honda Civic | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| ’96 | 63.6% | 70.0% |
| ’97 | 60.0% | 68.5% |
| ’98 | 60.3% | 67.1% |
| ’99 | 62.6% | 65.4% |
| ’00 | 64.6% | 63.1% |
| ’01 | 55.9% | 61.5% |
| ’02 | 55.1% | 59.7% |
| ’03 | 53.6% | 58.9% |
| ’04 | 57.0% | 57.9% |
| ’05 | 56.5% | 57.7% |
| ’06 | 53.4% | 56.9% |
| ’07 | 54.0% | 57.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT failures on the 1998 Honda Civic
Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt was the most common single reason a 1998 Honda Civic failed, on 15.5% of about 400 failed tests. By area of the car, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment failed most often (44.3% of failed tests; all 1998 cars 41.0%). 7.0% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 6.6% for all cars first registered in 1998. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 15.5% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.4% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 10.0% |
| Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.1% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.3% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 8.3% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.5% |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Steering | 7.5% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 7.2% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes | 6.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Failure categories: Honda Civic vs all 1998 cars
The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.
| Category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 33.0% |
| Brakes | 29.9% |
| Suspension | 26.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 25.2% |
| Visibility | 18.6% |
| Steering | 16.1% |
| Tyres | 10.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common MOT advisories on the 1998 Honda Civic
An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 66.9% of 1998 Honda Civic tests had at least one (all 1998 cars 59.6%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.
Most common advisories
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 15.5% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 14.3% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.8% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 9.1% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 8.4% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 7.5% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 6.2% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 6.0% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 5.9% |
| Component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Suspension | 5.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
What mileage is normal for a 1998 Honda Civic?
Half of the 1998 Honda Civics tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 94,600 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 70,800 and a quarter more than 123,000. For all cars first registered in 1998, the middle figure was 94,000 miles, so 1998 Honda Civics have been driven about as far as average.
Mileage at the 2025 MOT
Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.
| 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Cars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Honda Civic | 50,700 | 70,800 | 94,600 | 123,000 | 151,100 | 857 |
| All 1998 cars | 43,400 | 65,400 | 94,000 | 128,000 | 164,300 | 37,727 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
How many 1998 Honda Civics are left?
At the end of 2014, 12,413 1998 Honda Civics were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 2,827 were: 740 licensed and 2,087 declared off the road (SORN). That is 22.8% still on the record, against 28.8% for all cars first registered in 1998.
Share still on the record since 2014
Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2014. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.
| Year end | 1998 Honda Civic | All 1998 cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2015 | 82.4% | 82.4% |
| 2016 | 67.8% | 68.7% |
| 2017 | 54.6% | 57.2% |
| 2018 | 44.6% | 48.9% |
| 2019 | 37.7% | 43.3% |
| 2020 | 33.5% | 39.7% |
| 2021 | 30.1% | 36.3% |
| 2022 | 28.2% | 34.2% |
| 2023 | 26.2% | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 24.0% | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 22.8% | 28.8% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated
Recalls that may affect cars built around 1998
None of the Honda Civic’s 45 recalls in DVSA’s records has build dates that include 1998. 5 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.
The 1998 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 1998 may have been built in 1997, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.
Every Honda Civic recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls
Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
Other years of the Honda Civic
27 years of the Honda Civic, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2014 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (75.9% passed first time) and the 1997 cars worst (60.0%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | – | 1,768 | 63.6% |
| 1997 | – | 2,526 | 60.0% |
| 1998 | – | 2,827 | 60.3% |
| 1999 | – | 3,273 | 62.6% |
| 2000 | – | 3,601 | 64.6% |
| 2001 | – | 5,413 | 55.9% |
| 2002 | – | 7,655 | 55.1% |
| 2003 | – | 8,545 | 53.6% |
| 2004 | – | 11,194 | 57.0% |
| 2005 | – | 12,978 | 56.5% |
| 2006 | – | 12,582 | 53.4% |
| 2007 | – | 19,692 | 54.0% |
| 2008 | – | 18,312 | 53.8% |
| 2009 | – | 17,391 | 54.3% |
| 2010 | – | 15,694 | 54.9% |
| 2011 | – | 10,828 | 57.4% |
| 2012 | – | 13,005 | 69.0% |
| 2013 | – | 15,264 | 71.6% |
| 2014 | 15,318 | 14,500 | 75.9% |
| 2015 | 15,652 | 15,129 | 79.3% |
| 2016 | 16,591 | 16,265 | 80.8% |
| 2017 | 15,314 | 14,617 | 83.3% |
| 2018 | 14,746 | 13,958 | 84.9% |
| 2019 | 12,963 | 12,425 | 86.0% |
| 2020 | 5,724 | 5,539 | 87.0% |
| 2021 | 4,912 | 4,935 | 88.0% |
| 2022 | 1,439 | 1,365 | 93.7% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 910 MOT tests of 1998 Honda Civic cars | 15 September 2026 |
| Cars on the record | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of 2025 | 2,827 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
- MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Honda Civic cars first registered in 1998; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 1998.
- Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
- Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
- Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
- Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.