Faults:

After purchasing the car, I noticed on long motorway journeys there was a noise coming from the passenger side like a whistling sound. I took to a dealer, was told it was normal, then I drove it through a car wash and noticed water coming through.

Got it repaired after waiting 1 week for a seal to come in, then noticed they fitted it on the wrong side. I went back and another week went by.

Rattles from the windows, but I have noticed this from other Civics as well.

Door panels and (outside) door hinges vibrate too much when music is at 20, making the car seem 10 years old.

A musty smell comes through the car when the air recycle button is active; not pleasant when going through high carbon monoxide tunnels; would honestly prefer that smell.

The leather interior does make the car more desirable, but if the radio is off, noise creaks will sound quite annoying. Fixed myself with WD40.

General Comments:

For a 1.6 SOHC (single over head cam) it's very smooth to drive, although the gears can seem stiff at times when the engine is cold.

The clutch is very soft, not ideal for me, but other people who have driven the car prefer this.

No engine problems to date.

Considerable amount of noise from the tyres on normal roads, and not the most quiet engines when in high gears. 3000rpm from a passenger perspective sounds like you're doing 5500rpm.

One good thing is that when VTEC kicks in, the engine changes tone, forming a whirling sound overtaking similar specification cars or higher, such as a BMW 318, Golf 1.6 fsi, and more.

Whether I drive this car hard, hitting 6500rpm, or hitting 3000rpm, I have the reassurance that when it comes to the next day, the engine will pur on start.

General Comments:

Personally I find the looks a bit rubbish, but I bought the car for reliability and it hasn't put a step wrong!

Excellent value for money.

Slightly woolly handling, lack of response from the steering. Perky 1.6 Petrol engine though.

Great executive features, such as heated seats and mirrors; loads of room, and fantastic interior for the dosh.

Faults:

Dashboard rattles, creaks and buzzes have not been resolved despite numerous dealer attempts. Dealer now no longer Honda franchised. Honda say go to different dealer, but different dealer refused to accept car in as they could not hear fault when I delivered it warm even though I told them fault mainly occurs when car is cold.

Also, last dealer introduced additional buzzing, traced to damaged coin box in dash - cannot now obtain they say, and new dealer say not their problem. Honda UK most unhelpful, unsympathetic and don't return calls - have said there is nothing more they can do.

Heavy vibration from gearbox resolved by replacing 3rd/4th gear unit and selector fork - took numerous visits before they agreed to repair it.

Totally unsatisfactory response from Honda.

General Comments:

Most unsatisfactory through constant dashboard rattles and buzzing when driving to work every day almost. Honda UK now say unable to help as they only work through their dealers, who have refused to accept it for their attention when cold.