Before you buy a used Honda Civic (X).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 6 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 2.0 Type R (Petrol), 1.6 i-DTEC (Diesel).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.
- Honda Civic (X) weak points from its inspection recordKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2017–2022
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
1.0 / 1.5 VTEC Turbo
Petrol
- Period mentioned
- Early cars, from 2017
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Only the 1.0 (three-cylinder), early cars.
2.0 Type R · 1.6 i-DTEC
2.0 Type R (Petrol) · 1.6 i-DTEC (Diesel)
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.5 VTEC TurboPetrol | 21 with conditions | 6 |
| 2.0 Type RPetrolFewest documented | 1 | 6 |
| 1.6 i-DTECDieselFewest documented | 1 | 6 |
According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 2.0 Type R (Petrol), 1.6 i-DTEC (Diesel).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Honda dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Honda airbag and seat-belt recalls (2015–2020)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHonda steering recalls (2006–2025)Steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHonda fuel-system recalls (2006–2024)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHonda electric and hybrid drive recalls (2024–2025)Electric drive
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHonda wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2010–2026)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryHonda engine, transmission and software recalls (2007–2020)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Known weak points
Look out for: Headlight defects at inspection, batteries, an infotainment system that crashes and rust protection that could be better.
Ask them to check: Before buying, or at the next service, have it checked on a lift: underbody, axles, brakes and lights.
Engine
Look out for: The article describes no warning signs: the belt damage can end in serious engine damage.
Ask them to check: Ask a Honda dealer to inspect the belt and the gear, and keep the service history for Honda’s goodwill.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Honda Civic (X) weak points from its inspection record
- Sharp-edged crankshaft gear that damages the timing belt (Civic X 1.0 VTEC Turbo, early cars)
- Honda airbag and seat-belt recalls (2015–2020)
- Honda steering recalls (2006–2025)
- Honda fuel-system recalls (2006–2024)
- Honda electric and hybrid drive recalls (2024–2025)
- Honda wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2010–2026)
- Honda engine, transmission and software recalls (2007–2020)
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