How long should a honda civic last

Since a car is one of the most significant investments that a person will make, it should come as no surprise that what people really want from a vehicle is reliability. If you’re in the market for a vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a Honda Civic. Ranked as the third most popular car in the United States, and Honda’s second most popular model, these sturdy little cars are everywhere. But how long will a Honda Civic last?

Table of Contents Show

Why Are Honda Civics So Popular?
Are Honda Civics Reliable?
What Are The Most Common Problems with Honda Civics?
Are Honda Civics Expensive to Maintain?
Should I Buy a Used Honda Civic?
What is high mileage for a Civic?
Why do Honda Civics last so long?
Can a Honda Civic last 500000 miles?
Is A Honda Civic a reliable Car?

With proper maintenance and care, a Honda Civic can easily last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles, with some drivers reporting that their Civics have gone well beyond the 300,000-mile mark.

If you’re considering adding a Honda Civic to your garage, or just want to know more about the one you already own, keep reading to learn more about this durable little car.

Why Are Honda Civics So Popular?

Though its style has changed quite a bit over the years, the Civic remains one of the more popular cars on the road, but why?

Efficiency: The Honda Civic was one of the most fuel-efficient cars of its time back in the day, and even today, with most models getting up to 40 mpg (about 7 cents per mile) on the highway, they’re still one of the best in terms of fuel efficiency.
Dependability: The Civic has a reputation for being an extremely reliable and long-lasting vehicle. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see a Civic with more than 250,000 miles still driving as if it has another 100,000 miles left in it.
Safety: Honda Civics have earned top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA for years and with the addition of many new safety features, that trend looks unlikely to change anytime soon.
Affordability: Despite the fact that most Civics will last forever, they’re surprisingly affordable. With new models starting under $25,000, and thousands of used models on the market, you’re sure to find a Civic that fits nicely into your budget.

Are Honda Civics Reliable?

According to RepairPal, the Honda Civic has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 which ranks it 3rd out of 36 for compact cars. Furthermore, they estimate the average annual repair cost of a Honda Civic to be $368, which is almost $200 less than the average cost of other compact cars.

J.D. Power has also given the Civic a higher-than-average reliability rating. You can find their reliability ratings below.

YearRating2022 #1 in Compact CarGreat 82/1002021 #2 in Compact CarGreat 82/1002020 N/AN/A N/A2019 #3 in Compact CarAverage 79/1002018 #6 in Compact CarAverage 76/1002017 #4 in Compact CarAverage 77/1002016 #8 in Compact CarAverage 74/100Source: J.D. Power These ratings are based on the opinions of unbiased car owners.

What Are The Most Common Problems with Honda Civics?

Although repairs are an unavoidable part of owning a vehicle, there are some problems that go beyond the normal wear and tear issues. According to RepairPal, the most common problems that Civic owners face are:

ProblemAverage MileageYears AffectedAverage Repair CostAirbag Light Due to Failed Occupant Position Sensor112,0001996 – 2012$938 – $963 Recall IssuedBad Engine Mount Causing Vibration98,0001990 – 2016$513- $553 Parts: $400Power Window Switch Failure116,0001990 – 2001$252 – $287 Parts: $235Hood Release Cable Breaks148,0001990 – 2003$202 – $219 Parts: $139Shift Control Solenoid Fault141,0001994 – 2011$107 – $126 Parts: $32Cracked Exhaust Manifold/Catalytic Converter151,0001995 – 2008$1,575 – $1,641 Parts: $1,400A/C Compressor65,0001990 – 2005$699 – $1,079 Parts: $650

The prices above reflect the average price to repair each issue, but these prices do not consider fees or taxes. Additionally, prices may vary depending on your location and the year of the vehicle being repaired.

Are Honda Civics Expensive to Maintain?

One of the best ways to ensure you get the most life out of your vehicle is to follow the vehicle’s maintenance schedule. According to CAREDGE, a Honda Civic will cost about $5,245 for maintenance and repairs during the first ten years of service, which is $1,600 less than the average maintenance cost for other compact cars on the market. Similarly, there is a 15.57% chance that your Civic will need a major repair within those first ten years, which is 5.97% better than other compact vehicles.

To get a better idea of what services you’ll need to keep up on to maintain your Civic in tip-top shape, check out the table below.

Routine MaintenanceService IntervalAverage CostRotate TiresEvery 15,000 miles. Check tires periodically and replace them as needed.Labor: $79 – $100Oil ChangeFirst 7,500 miles and then every 3,000 – 7,500 miles depending on the type of oil you are using.Parts: $57 – $62 Labor: $39 – $49Replace Spark PlugsEvery 30,000 miles.Parts: $45 – $134 Labor: $65 – $82Replace CoolantEvery 30,000 miles. Check periodically and fill up as needed.Labor: $69- $86Replace Brake FluidEvery 30,000 miles. Check periodically and fill as needed.Labor: $62 – $78Air Filter ReplacementEvery 15,000 miles.Parts: $19 – $28 Labor: $28 – $36Source: RepairPal

Should I Buy a Used Honda Civic?

With 300,000 – 400,000 sold on average each year, there’s no shortage of used Honda Civics on the market today, but is it a good idea to buy a used Civic?

Before buying a used car, you should always check:

The exterior of the car for rust or hidden damage. This is especially true if the vehicle is an older model. People can find clever and tricky ways to cover rust spots and earlier damage. Watch for areas where paint does not match exactly or areas under the car where people have sprayed undercoating.
Service and repair records. If you get the car through a dealer, you may be able to access these free of charge. However, even if you buy through a private individual, it’s worth buying the Carfax whenever possible. The person you’re buying the car from may not be the original owner and they may not even be aware of the vehicle’s full history.
The title. The older a vehicle is, the more likely it becomes that the car has been involved in an accident. If the vehicle has a salvaged title, you may have a tough time finding an insurance company that will cover the car.
The clutch. If the vehicle is manual, you’ll want to pay close attention to the clutch. It may be a good idea to ask the owner if they know when this was last repaired. This can be a costly repair and can sometimes become more expensive than a used car is worth.

The Honda Civic has continued to prove itself worthy of praise for over four decades. While it may not be the most glamorous car on the market, this sturdy little go-getter will provide the reliability and dependability you need for a daily driver.

What is high mileage for a Civic?

Considering that a properly maintained Civic can potentially last 150,000 to 200,000 miles, anything below 80,000 miles is considered good mileage. If you can find a used Civic that had a careful owner who mostly drove on the highway or in the countryside, it can be a safe choice even if it has reached 100,000 miles.

Why do Honda Civics last so long?

The simple answer is that Honda engine parts are made at a higher quality. Honda engine parts are forged. GM engine parts, for example, are cast. In fact, Honda engine parts are so well forged that you can run nitrous on a stock motor.

Can a Honda Civic last 500000 miles?

Data and owner experience support that the Honda Civic is reliable. The NHTSA reports relatively minimal issues with the Civic over the last 10 years. In addition, owners of Civics between 2010 and 2015 have proven they can last 500,000 miles and more.

Is A Honda Civic a reliable Car?

Out of all compact cars, Honda Civics are one of the top choices if you're on the hunt for reliability. According to jdpower.com, the Honda Civic comes in second place out of all compact cars with an overall score of ⁸⁴⁄₁₀₀. The vehicle's reliability score is ⁸²⁄₁₀₀.