HONDA CIVIC (1991)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 581 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,737
£145/month
MOT Pass Rate
83%
Good
Road Tax
£195
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 8-20
1343cc Petrol
Solid Option
83% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.
Check a specific HONDA CIVIC
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Based on 1343cc
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this HONDA CIVIC
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.
At 35 years old, 83% of HONDA CIVICs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 581 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 103,278 miles.
Got a HONDA CIVIC you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
103,278
Average miles
259,000
Expected for age
The average 1991 HONDA CIVIC has 103,278 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
Looking at a specific HONDA CIVIC?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1991 sits between the two at 83%.
HONDA CIVIC by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92% | 349 | 26,594 mi | |
| 2020 | 93% | 7,003 | 31,000 mi | |
| 2019 | 92% | 24,222 | 38,422 mi | |
| 2018 | 90% | 26,013 | 46,367 mi | |
| 2017 | 90% | 26,452 | 51,272 mi | |
| 2016 | 89% | 26,607 | 63,520 mi | |
| 2015 | 87% | 24,580 | 73,001 mi | |
| 2014 | 86% | 23,400 | 81,465 mi | |
| 2013 | 85% | 24,777 | 91,361 mi | |
| 2012 | 83% | 21,831 | 94,140 mi | |
| 2011 | 76% | 20,167 | 92,437 mi | |
| 2010 | 75% | 31,308 | 104,886 mi | |
| 2009 | 74% | 36,553 | 111,499 mi | |
| 2008 | 72% | 40,632 | 118,507 mi | |
| 2007 | 72% | 45,025 | 122,456 mi | |
| 2006 | 71% | 28,045 | 126,100 mi | |
| 2005 | 73% | 24,685 | 110,833 mi | |
| 2004 | 72% | 20,938 | 113,431 mi | |
| 2003 | 70% | 14,502 | 108,344 mi | |
| 2002 | 72% | 12,455 | 110,076 mi | |
| 2001 | 70% | 8,335 | 103,354 mi | |
| 2000 | 77% | 2,871 | 96,666 mi | |
| 1999 | 75% | 4,540 | 98,943 mi | |
| 1998 | 73% | 3,450 | 97,935 mi | |
| 1997 | 72% | 2,947 | 98,250 mi | |
| 1996 | 73% | 2,065 | 99,417 mi | |
| 1995 | 80% | 1,223 | 100,022 mi | |
| 1994 | 80% | 781 | 93,399 mi | |
| 1993 | 88% | 427 | 92,937 mi | |
| 1992 | 87% | 297 | 97,411 mi | |
| 1991 | 83% | 581 | 103,278 mi | |
| 1990 | 79% | 253 | 89,385 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Honda Civic
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 1991 HONDA CIVIC
The 1991 HONDA CIVIC is a small family car with a 1343cc petrol engine. 581 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 103,278 miles at 35 years old, HONDA CIVIC owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.
1991 HONDA CIVIC Fuel Costs
The 1343cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 1991 HONDA CIVIC?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
HONDA CIVIC Reliability Trend
Newer HONDA CIVICs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.
Buying a Used 1991 HONDA CIVIC
At 35 years old, the HONDA CIVIC is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 1991 HONDA CIVIC's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.
Suspension Bushings
Watch outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Clutch Wear
Watch outWith an average of 103k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.
Brake Discs and Pads
Medium riskHigh-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 1991 HONDA CIVIC stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HONDA CIVIC(1991) | 83% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 8-20 | £1737 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991) | 80% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1867+£130 |
| ROVER MINI(1990) | 80% | £955 | £30 | Grp 1-8 | £1390-£347 |
| FORD ESCORT(1990) | 85% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1677-£60 |
| PEUGEOT 205(1990) | 80% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1572-£165 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Honda Models
Explore other Honda cars or similar models in the same category.
HONDA JAZZ
2009 · 1300cc Petrol
HONDA CR-V
2007 · 1998cc Petrol
HONDA HR-V
2016 · 1500cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
1991 · 1781cc Petrol
ROVER MINI
1990 · 998cc Petrol
FORD ESCORT
1990 · 1597cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Honda Civic.
Cars That Hold Their Value UK 2026 (Up to 71% After 3 Years)
10 min read
ReliabilityMost Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Data From 50M Real MOT Tests)
11 min read
Reliability20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific HONDA CIVIC
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a HONDA CIVIC? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data