The most up to date version of this list will be found here, in the wiki. Please update it if you wish.
I'll try to keep this updated as time progresses.
On collection of a new car - here are some known faults that you may want to test/check in addition to the stuff you'd check on any new car:
Rear shocks
Early cars made a "clonking" noise from the rear, caused by a batch of faulty shocks. A test drive will highlight this, but then the dealer should have just checked it. Ask the dealer if it has the fault - that should throw him!
Fuel filler cap
The cap on some cars doesn't open when you pull the lever. Pull the lever (by the drivers feet) once to check the cap opens.
Radio problems
As you arrive in your old car, tune a station that is of marginal, but just-ok reception. When you get into the Civic, tune the same frequency and check the reception is acceptable. There have been reports of poor reception.
Cigarette lighter
Pull the cig lighter out a few times and make sure the socket doesn't come out too.
Gear stick
Check it's screwed on.
Handbrake light
Check it goes on and off with the handbrake.
Door fit
Check the doors are aligned correctly. The stripe down the middle part of the door should line up with the stripe on the front wing and the stripe on the rear door.
Headlights fouling bumper
Check the bottom of the headlights are not touching the bumper (may rub causing paint to come off).
Missing clips
Have a look at the centre console down at floor level near your feet. There should be 2 clips on each side - these can pop out and go missing.
Reversing aids
If you've had dealer-installed accessories fitted, check for scratches all around the rear-centre console, the centre console, the gearchange and inside the tailgate.
Rear lights
Fog light not connected, best to check all lights working.
Scratches on the dash
The dash is very shiny and very prone to getting scratched. Check under good lighting conditions the black plastic around the instrument console and the perspex instrument cover.
I'll try to keep this updated as time progresses.
On collection of a new car - here are some known faults that you may want to test/check in addition to the stuff you'd check on any new car:
Rear shocks
Early cars made a "clonking" noise from the rear, caused by a batch of faulty shocks. A test drive will highlight this, but then the dealer should have just checked it. Ask the dealer if it has the fault - that should throw him!
Fuel filler cap
The cap on some cars doesn't open when you pull the lever. Pull the lever (by the drivers feet) once to check the cap opens.
Radio problems
As you arrive in your old car, tune a station that is of marginal, but just-ok reception. When you get into the Civic, tune the same frequency and check the reception is acceptable. There have been reports of poor reception.
Cigarette lighter
Pull the cig lighter out a few times and make sure the socket doesn't come out too.
Gear stick
Check it's screwed on.
Handbrake light
Check it goes on and off with the handbrake.
Door fit
Check the doors are aligned correctly. The stripe down the middle part of the door should line up with the stripe on the front wing and the stripe on the rear door.
Headlights fouling bumper
Check the bottom of the headlights are not touching the bumper (may rub causing paint to come off).
Missing clips
Have a look at the centre console down at floor level near your feet. There should be 2 clips on each side - these can pop out and go missing.
Reversing aids
If you've had dealer-installed accessories fitted, check for scratches all around the rear-centre console, the centre console, the gearchange and inside the tailgate.
Rear lights
Fog light not connected, best to check all lights working.
Scratches on the dash
The dash is very shiny and very prone to getting scratched. Check under good lighting conditions the black plastic around the instrument console and the perspex instrument cover.