Credov's researched list of the 7 faults the Honda Civic Type R is known for (2007–2011), 7 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Shift 1-2, 2-3 and 3-2 cold and warm; any crunch or refusal at high revs is the fault.
Why it matters: Worn synchros only get worse, and because parts availability for this JDM-only gearbox is poor, a rebuild can take longer and cost more to source parts for than on a more common car.
Typical repair: NZ$2,500–NZ$6,000 in New Zealand · A$2,580–A$6,180 in Australia
What to look for: Start the engine from fully cold and listen for 1-2 seconds of harsh grinding or rattling from the passenger side.
Why it matters: Left alone the chain and guides wear further, and the usual repair replaces the actuator, chain, tensioner and guides together - a bill in the low thousands rather than a quick fix.
Typical repair: NZ$1,200–NZ$2,800 in New Zealand · A$1,240–A$2,880 in Australia
What to look for: Lie beside the car with a torch and check the subframes, sills, jacking points and rear arches for flaking rust.
Why it matters: Surface rust is a cosmetic job, but structural rust on a subframe or sill can fail a WoF-equivalent inspection and is expensive to cut out and repair properly, so it changes what the car is actually worth.
Typical repair: NZ$800–NZ$5,000 in New Zealand · A$820–A$5,150 in Australia
What to look for: Select 3rd several times cold and warm, accelerate then lift off; a notchy entry, grind or jump-out is the fault.
Why it matters: A gear that pops out under load on the road is both a safety issue and a sign the synchros are already damaged; the fix is a full gearbox strip, usually with all synchros replaced while it is open.
Typical repair: NZ$1,800–NZ$3,500 in New Zealand · A$1,850–A$3,610 in Australia
What to look for: Look closely along the roof edge above the windscreen and under the door-top seals for bubbling or brown staining.
Why it matters: Fixing it properly means removing the windscreen, treating and repainting the roof edge and fitting the revised strip - a real body-shop job, and Honda's goodwill programme has now ended for every FN2, so the cost is entirely the buyer's.
Typical repair: NZ$1,200–NZ$3,000 in New Zealand · A$1,240–A$3,090 in Australia
What to look for: Lie behind the car with a torch and inspect the whole rear beam and its welds for flaking rust or cracks.
Why it matters: A cracked rear beam is a genuine structural safety fault, not a cosmetic one, and can fail a warrant of fitness outright; a replacement genuine Type R beam is an expensive part on top of the labour.
Typical repair: NZ$1,500–NZ$3,500 in New Zealand · A$1,550–A$3,610 in Australia
What to look for: From cold, make several 1-2 shifts at normal and brisk pace, then repeat warm; any grind or crunch is the fault.
Why it matters: Dealers often cannot reproduce the crunch on a short test drive, so a buyer who does not test it cold and warm, slow and brisk, can easily miss a fault that later needs a full gearbox rebuild to fix properly.
Typical repair: NZ$2,500–NZ$6,000 in New Zealand · A$2,580–A$6,180 in Australia
Got a question about a Honda Civic Type R? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.