[jayt43]

I have a 07 model which at its first service had both rear shocks replaced. BOTH were found to be leaking.

From speaking to the service manager, they've done a fair few jobs already on 07 models to replace front/rear suspension parts. Surprising really, given that I thought it was mainly 06 models which were affected.

However, it was his opinion that, even though the level of repairs was not excessive (or indeed unexpected for a new model), the Civic's relatively firm suspension settings, coupled with Honda's choice of low-profile tyre for the standard 17" alloy, made the model more susceptible to premature suspension wear/failure, particularly in countries where poorer road surfaces were prevalent.

At another Honda garage, I was told that the fuel filler cap had been a niggly, ongoing problem, although most owners seemed content to live with it until their first service (when the clip mod is done).

There have also been some issues with the windscreen/roof (known already), poorly fitted trim - particularly the hatch's interior plastic panels - misaligned panels (bonnet, rear door to rear quarter panel, rear/front doors not flush) and, on a number of vehicles, the dreaded battery drain.

From a source I trust implicitly, I was told the car's reliability was no worse than other vehicles in the company's range (and that warranty repairs were along the same lines as other models, such as the Jazz, when it first arrived). However, he did admit that fit and finish were not quite (yet) up to standard of models such as the Accord and FR-V.