HELP: Car Rolled with Handbrake Up

O

opinionhated

Expert Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2007
Messages
3,166
Reaction score
8
Location
Johannesburg
Hi,. Need some advice.

My Honda Civic rolled in a parking lot - slight decline - and hit a wall (luckily). The handbrake was up (I have witnesses). The car was in for its 90000 service 2 weeks back. I then checked the position and If i really force the handbrake so that it can't go up anymore, then its engaged, but anything else and the car moves.

Do I go back to the dealer and say my handbrake failed. Do I first contact head office. Do I go to another dealer and ask them to check.

(I usually put the gear in, this time I didn't)
 
Usually a handbrake adjustment/tightening forms part of your general service, regardless of whether or not your brakes were changed. It wouldn't surprise me though if this wasn't done.

Just take it back to the dealer and ask them whether it was adjusted, and for them to recheck it anyway. It's a 5min job for most cars.
 
The form that you sign [for the service] will include a disclaimer absolving the dealer from any and all liabilities which may arise as a result of the service.

The real problem is the fact that disc brakes are not optimal as parking brakes: my old Lancia Fulvia had discs all round plus a set of drums, just for the hand-brake.
 
You should always leave your car in gear on an incline.

The same thing happened to me, so now I always leave it in gear.
 
Saajid said:
More importantly, how badly was your car damaged, and who is liable for the repairs to the car and wall?
Click to expand...

Yup.that's my main concern. I'm insured, with a big excess, but I feel like it's their fault.

The damage is not excessive, bumper clips are broken, side panel, exhaust tray came off.
No damage to the wall
 
rrh said:
The real problem is the fact that disc brakes are not optimal as parking brakes
Click to expand...
Correct, especially when the brakes are hot. You pull up the handbrake, the rear discs contract while cooling off and the handbrake releases.
 
Why not park with your car in gear? I mean if you fail to prepare you should prepare to fail :P
 
PsyWulf said:
Why not park with your car in gear? I mean if you fail to prepare you should prepare to fail :P
Click to expand...

I usually do. I think I was sitting in it with the car on for the airconditioner, so gear was in neutral. My sop is to park in gear.

The other thing is all 4 tyres were changed last week. Could this be a cause?
 
I see there was a recall on all honda's made between 07 and 08 for handbrake failure. Bought mine in 09. So probably unrelated. But a quick google indicates i'm not the only one with the handbrake failing. I doubt I'm going to get any joy from Honda.

This has been a rough month. R6000 for the parts on the serivce. R4000 for tyres. And now this :(
 
School fees, dude. Get a quote and decide from there whether you're going to claim from insurance or not; you're not going to get anyone else to cough for the damage.

Unless you specifically ask at time of service, or your brakes were worked on, the handbrake won't be touched. Some workshops/franchised dealers might check the handbrake as standard procedure, but it ain't a given.
 
nadimm said:
I see there was a recall on all honda's made between 07 and 08 for handbrake failure. Bought mine in 09. So probably unrelated. But a quick google indicates i'm not the only one with the handbrake failing. I doubt I'm going to get any joy from Honda.

This has been a rough month. R6000 for the parts on the serivce. R4000 for tyres. And now this :(
Click to expand...

You will save yourself a lot of time by not trying to put this at someone else's doorstep ;)
 
School fees indeed. However your car will not pass Dekra or similar if the handbrake takes more than 3 notches to brake the car.
 
Forget it. If the handbrake still engages right at the top there's even less chance. They are going to say you didn't park properly. (handbrake not up and vehicle not in gear).
 
In some countries (Germany) the insurance won't even pay if the vehicle was not in gear as well
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X