Models · Honda
Honda Integra Type R DC2 buying guide
The DC2 Integra Type R, sold in Japan from the mid-1990s to 2001 and officially in the UK from 1997, with a high-revving 1.8 VTEC B18C engine and front-wheel drive. Both UK cars and Japanese imports are on the market, and the known issues are well understood.
The versions
- 1.8 VTEC B18C, 187bhp at 8,000rpm, with the cam change above about 6,000rpm
- Three-door coupé, front-wheel drive, five-speed manual
- UK cars have quad round headlights; Japanese imports have slim rectangular headlights and are mechanically the same
- Japanese '98 Spec cars have 16in wheels and revised gearing
What to check on a DC2 Integra Type R
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Rear wheel arches and sills
What to look for: Look closely along both sills and around the rear wheel arches for bubbling paint. Look underneath too. Where there is old anti-rust coating, press gently with a screwdriver to check the metal behind it is solid.
Why it matters: These are the places DC2s rust, and bubbling paint usually hides more serious corrosion underneath. UK cars appear to suffer more than Japanese imports, and nearly all will have had some repair work here, so ask what was done and look at its quality. Old coatings can trap water and hide rot.
Oil level and exhaust smoke
What to look for: Check the dipstick before the engine is started, and ask how often the seller tops up. Once warm, watch the exhaust as the engine is revved and on the drive for blue smoke.
Why it matters: The B18C uses some oil even when healthy, so regular top-ups are normal and an owner who checks it is a good sign. Excess smoke is more likely a sign of abuse and worn piston rings, and replacement engines are becoming hard to find.
Second and third gear
What to look for: On the drive, change up and down through second and third several times, at low revs and briskly. Note a crunch, drag from the clutch, or a sloppy, vague feel to the lever.
Why it matters: The second and third gear synchros can wear, especially on cars used hard on track. A vague lever can often be cured with new linkages. A worn clutch can also make high-rev changes difficult, so check for leaks from the clutch slave cylinder.
Also in the full guide
- Cambelt history and the boot floor
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the DC2 Integra Type R
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Honda.