This problem may not apply to just Civic's. My Jazz (on a 54 plate) was parked on a slight sloping road for 10 minutes before the handbrake failed and it rolled into a house. Car severly damaged, house front partly demolished. Thankfully no one hurt. Honda dealer informed next day and said not a complaint they had heard of in the Jazz previously. They have agreed to check the brakes out when car is repaired but not hint of anything else.

Mike Lewis, Newent, Gloucestershire

Catherine, Tring

If your handbrake is not strong enough to hold the car on a hill it should not have passed an MOT. There should be no need to put the car in gear at all.

Alex Ritchie, Salisbury, UK

I might be going crazy, and opinions may differ but aren't you supposed to leave your car in gear if you park on a slope? I always leave my car in gear - hand brakes simply aren't strong enough...

Catherine, Tring,

I had my Civic [bought july '07] for almost a week, before it rolled down a hill.
Honda refunded me my excess on the insurance, [Car came to rest into a small tree] but that was all.
But I received a letter about the Handbrake months ago.

I don't think they knew at the time how many of us had this problem.

Carrie, London,

This was old news long before Christmas when Honda sent a letter and advice to every owner of a Civic affected.

mark, South Coast, UK

What a contrast with GM - a similar problem with Vectras produced a response along the lines of "its the fault of the customer". Ditto Renault with Clio bonnets flying open. Well done Honda.

Paul Barnard, Cromer,