Used car buying guide: Honda Civic Type R (FK2)

The regular Civic is a famously reliable car and it’s a pleasingly similar story with the Type R. Key things to keep an eye out for include alloy wheel damage and worn brake pads from enthusiastic track-day performances. Fuel pump starvation issues have also been reported by some owners. Many examples have a full service history, reassuringly, and the specialist nature of the car means they rarely fall into the wrong hands.

This Type R was replaced four years ago by the even wackier-looking – but still formidable – current car, but for subtler looks and a considerably lower price, the 2015- 2017 Honda edges its descendant as the better used buy, for now. Road tax is a chunky £250 per year, but five-door practicality, a 477-litre boot and, above all, the way it drives all serve to soften the blow.

How to get one in your garage

An expert’s view

Phil Crafford, Dream Automotive: “Our business was born off the back of the FK2. You can race them around and be quite aggressive with them, yet they’re quite composed when you want to lay off. It’s a family car that can do all the work. If you take it to a track day, you can put in a fast time and it can bring you home and take the kids down the shops. It’s a perfect all-rounder. We have customers that have supercars and they run one of these as a daily car.”

Buyer beware…

â–  Wheels: Inspect all alloys to make sure they haven’t been scuffed or damaged, because their low-profile tyres make them common prey to the UK’s vicious kerbs. The Type R’s alloys cost around £250 each, and you don’t want to skimp on rubber, either.

â–  Brakes: Ask the owner if they have been out on track in their Civic. Even if they say no, check for evidence of consistent hard driving. Check the brake pads have a good amount of meat left (and they’re a big-brand name) and run your thumbnail over the brake discs to feel for ridges. Genuine FK2 Type R brake components are expensive, so check for any warning lights and carry out a couple of hard stops to feel for shuddering or pulling.

â–  Engine: Some older models are starting to suffer head gasket problems, an issue that Honda is aware of and that led to improvements being made to the FK8. Some specialists offer head gasket repairs and servicing in anticipation of failure, so if you buy a used Type R, consider a precautionary check before you hit the road. Otherwise, the Type R’s engine is generally trouble-free if given timely maintenance, so keep an eye on the car’s in-built service maintenance indicator. There’s no cambelt to worry about: it’s chain driven.