1997 Honda Civic 1.8L Petrol · R814 BMA
1997 Honda Civic (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 192,294 miles. MOT expired on 21 Sept 2026. Taxed until 01 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- HONDA CIVIC
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 21 Sept 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Nov 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 192,294 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R814 BMA Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 23/09/2025
- 192,294 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R814 BMA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Honda Civic (R814 BMA) between September 2022 and September 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 23 September 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (6 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 6 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Rear Service brake lagging in operation both rear (1.2.1 (d))”; “Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”; “Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))”.
R814 BMA Mileage History
- 06/09/2022161,199 mi
- 21/09/2022161,206 mi+7 mi
- 12/09/2023181,663 mi+20,457 mi
- 19/09/2024188,753 mi+7,090 mi
- 23/09/2025192,294 mi+3,541 mi
Average of roughly 10,206 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution. While this 1997 Ho
Given the extensive list of failures in September 2022, you should request receipts to prove that the braking system, emissions issues, and multiple suspension ball joint dust covers were professionally replaced rather than temporarily patched. Pay close attention to the 1.8L engine's performance, as high-mileage petrol engines of this era require rigorous verification of their internal health.
As a 1997 model, this vehicle likely benefits from lower road tax rates associated with older vehicles. However, the 1797cc engine will have higher fuel consumption than smaller Civic variants, and insurance costs will depend on the driver's profile, though the car likely sits in a low insurance group.
Prioritise an inspection of the braking system and parking brake, referencing the 2022 failures for efficiency and wear. Check all four corners of the suspension for the condition of the ball joint dust covers, as these were flagged as severely deteriorated across the front and rear in 2022. Additionally, examine the headlamp lenses and the offside rear tyre, both of which have appeared as advisories in the 2025 MOT.
This black 1.8L petrol Honda Civic has recorded 192,294 miles, significantly exceeding the average for its age. The MOT history is mixed, featuring a clean pass in 2023 but a comprehensive failure in 2022 involving brakes, emissions, and suspension. Recent tests show recurring advisories regarding the headlamp lenses and tyre condition.
The Honda Civic maintains a respectable aggregate MOT pass rate of 78.1%, though this specific vehicle's high mileage increases the risk of component fatigue.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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