Honda HR-V 1.6i-DTEC SE Navi long-term test review – fifth report

I've been living with our bold long-term HR-V since early February and, on average, I've been racking smidgen more than 2,000 miles every month since.

I can honestly say they've been completely trouble-free miles, but by no means the first service HR-V is now imminent. Ok, so I may quicken mile from the HR-V owners on average, but the 12,000-mile scheduled service still feels like it has come a wee bit premature, especially since many modern diesel engine can go 20,000 miles between pit stops. At least it will not break the bank, for a fixed price at a reasonable £ 215.

I'm pretty sure that where the money will stop, because most of the miles I've covered have spent trawling up and down the highway, so consumables such as tires and brake pads front still to be almost brand new. Equally, HR-V remains fully squeak- and free toys, and the last time I pulled over to check the tire pressure and fill the windshield washer bottles, oil is still relatively clean and well until the dip stick.

Moreover, Honda is known for customer service, come on, or close to the peak, almost every customer satisfaction survey you care to name. So, find a trusted dealer to carry out the work should not be a problem, or so you would think.

However, given recent experience I am certain the Honda dealership, I could not help feeling a word of caution is in order. Let me explain ...
Honda HR-V Honda HR-V
Mrs flow Tullin find a replacement for her aging almost-new Audi A4 Avant, but I'll spare you the anxiety this has caused me. He had £ 16K to spend, but the recent increase in its tax implications meant she could only buy a car that will cost around £ 25k if it was new.

He also wants a stylish, low mileage motorcycles with automatic gearbox and enough space to accommodate her beloved Golden Retriever.

No problem. For that sort of cash, he could have almost new Honda Civic estate. I really need to spend less time staring at the logo Honda HR-V ...

Anyway, a quick online search threw several candidates, but my eyes were attracted in particular low-mileage, Civic Tourer 15-plate, resounding in pearlescent white, in the main dealer of Honda in Newbury. Sure enough, after making an appointment to see the car, the next day we took the one hour trip to the deepest, darkest Berkshire.

Arrived bang on time we are given, we observed a pure front page, only to draw a blank heart sinks.

"No problem," I assured. "It may be behind in a service area." Stepping through the glass door swinging glazed, I saw the head-in-hand front desk. "Morning, we come to see the white Civic Tourer, I booked the appointment yesterday."
Honda HR-V Honda HR-V
Sad expression, followed by a sad look in rush discharge, never-to-be-more-salesman, followed by "It's over there in the corner."

"No, it was the hatchback and not Tourer."

He then offered to look out the back, which he did, only to return two minutes later, stating, "It's not out there, either."

"Ok," I said, and at this point, I suspect he began to feel frustrated, "you can look at your system and find out where this car? Maybe it was at one of the other branches."

"Oh, I can not do it, I am not allowed to access the system."

Calmly, I replied, albeit with clenched teeth, "So, what shall we do?"

"I do not know" she laughed, nervously.

So, what have we learned? Well, mainly, regardless of what the survey says anything, it is pear-shaped and it seems that the word-of-mouth recommendation is still the best. Anyone know of a good Honda dealer in the Surrey area?

PS I am sure you will be pleased to hear that the long-suffering Mrs T and her Golden Retriever is now the proud owner of a shiny white Volkswagen Tiguan. Apparently, Volkswagen actually has some cars that claimed to have located at the local dealer Mrs T.

key specifications:

• Model: Honda HR-V 1.6i-DTEC SE Navi
• Price as tested: £ 23 050
• Engine / gearbox: 4cyl turbo 1.6-liter, six-speed manual
• Power: 118bhp
• Torque: 221lb / ft
• Top speed: 119mph
• 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds
• Economy: 70.6mpg
• CO2 / BIK tax liabilities: 108G / km / 24%
• Boot space: 470 - 1533 liters

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