Well, don’t say that we don’t care about you all, dear readers. This is especially the case when our cars disengage their handbrakes and simply smash into inanimate objects. To get an idea of how bad the damage can be, check out the photos below from one reader.
Naturally, I couldn’t just let this lie. So, I decided to find out what those at Vauxhall had to say. I didn’t get a response at first, but a little perseverance can go a long way. After a little while, I decided to take it further. To General Motor’s credit, I got a reply from Denis Chick, who is none other than the Director of Communications for GMUK (that’s the brands Hummer, Vauxhall, Saab, Cadillac, Corvette and Opel).
Here’s what he had to say:
“The Vauxhall handbrake story is well documented having been featured on Watchdog and in Which? magazine a number of times. The summary up front of the thread is rather ‘old news’ by now and contains errors.
Vectra has been dealt with as below.
On the Corsa, Watchdog informed us of every case that was brought to their attention so that we could investigate each one. They have informed us of less than 10 cases so to suggest that the Watchdog Corsa number is in triple figures is wrong. On Vectra there was a more significant number which enabled a much more detailed investigation. The consistency of the Vectra test results concluded that a service action was necessary on that model.
Attached are the statements relating to Vectra and Corsa. The Vauxhall retail network is well aware of the status on both models (clearly so on Vectra where the service action is in hand) so there is no need for a ’stoney silence’, although again this may be historic and relating to the period before the company made the first formal statement.
On Vectra, the modification programme, which includes a new spring in the mechanism, is still underway but well through the bulk of the volume. On all Corsa investigations to date (on a relatively small number of vehicles) have found no fault with the handbrake mechanism. Long term tests are ongoing on this model.
You will note that we continue to suggest that when the vehicle is parked, along with the handbrake application, a gear should be selected.”
In reference to the Corsa handbrake statement from Watchdog, I have included this below. Bear in mind that this is only a statement of intent based on the cases that Watchdog have raised – which to my knowledge is not that many.
CORSA D HANDBRAKES – WATCHDOG STATEMENT APRIL 2008
The Safety and Quality of Vauxhall products remains our highest priority. The action that we have taken on Vectra/Signum handbrakes demonstrates that we care about any potential issues arising with our products.
We will investigate the cases that Watchdog has raised on Corsa D.
Vauxhall also reconfirms that, at all times, when parking their vehicle on a slope, customers should continue to engage a gear when the vehicle is stationary, the handbrake is applied without depressing the release button and the engine is switched off, in line with the recommendations referenced in the owner’s manual and in the official Highway Code.
Vauxhall Motors Limited
April 2008
Let’s move on to the Vectra/Signum shall we? Once again, we have another statement. This time we’re looking at information from the Customer Satisfaction Programme. So, let’s take a look:
Statement on Vectra/Signum Handbrake Customer Satisfaction Programme – January 2008
Following a small number of complaints of Vectra and Signum vehicles rolling away due to allegedly ineffective handbrakes, Vauxhall Motors Limited engineers, along with consultant engineers, suppliers and other bodies, have conducted rigorous technical tests on those vehicles.
During its extensive test programme, Vauxhall reviewed a number of handbrake mechanisms and found that when the handbrake is applied by depressing the release button, it is possible to manipulate the handbrake mechanism so as to cause it to release partially.
Vauxhall advised customers in October 2007 that when parking their vehicle, customers should always apply the handbrake and engage a gear in line with the recommendations referenced in the owner’s manual and in the official Highway Code, especially when parking on a slope.
Vauxhall believes that the handbrake system used in the Vectra and Signum is safe, however, Vauxhall treats all matters relating to the safety of its products as its highest priority. In line with this priority and that of continuous improvement, Vauxhall has decided to implement, as a Customer Satisfaction Programme, a modification to the handbrake mechanism to reduce the possibility of a partial release when incorrectly setting the handbrake.
Owners of c250,000 manual transmission Vectra and Signum models (produced from 2002) will receive a letter from the company requesting that they contact their nearest retailer to arrange for the modification, at no cost to the customer. Vauxhall Motors Limited is launching this Customer Satisfaction Programme in agreement with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), an executive agency of the Department of Transport. Note that this is not a safety recall.
Vauxhall reconfirms that, at all times, irrespective of the modification, when parking their vehicle on a slope, customers should continue to engage a gear when the vehicle is stationary, the handbrake is applied without depressing the release button and the engine is switched off, in line with the recommendations referenced in the owner’s manual and in the official Highway Code.
This Customer Satisfaction Programme will be carried out on a phased basis. Exact start timing will be based upon parts availability. Vectra and Signum owners who have concerns about their car should call Vauxhall Customer Service on 0845 090 2044 or via email at vauxhall.customerassistance@uk.gm.com.
Vauxhall Motors Limited
January 2008
So there we have it. Does this mean that there are endemic problems with Vauxhall handbrakes in a number of their vehicles? Well, I don’t think that you can say that. Then again, perhaps there are enough complaints here alone for Vauxhall to take another look. Bear in mind that long term tests are ongoing, so there is still a chance for Vauxhall to hear your complaint. Please keep the comments coming in regards to this issue and I’ll provide more updates as and when we receive them.
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Here’s the link to the original article…
http://www.cararticles.co.uk/uk-vauxhall-hit-by-renewed-faulty-handbrake-alarm.html
can anyone shed a light on if they have found a problem with rear tyres wearing into raised blocks and causing excess road noise on 56 plate vectra,s life or designs on 225/ tyreand if so what did you do to rectify
thanks
mike lane
dear sirs
10/09/09
on the evening of 09/09/2008 having parked my car in the usual postion at the top of my driveway with hand brake on and tested as is the usual practise now being a vectra owner, then being informed by my neighbour three minutes later that my 05 vectra had slipped its moorings and careered down my drive crossed a road usually busy at 17.30 hrs and demolished my neighbours wall and part fence collecting numerous damage en route will vauxhall
pay my eccess insurance ,they did send me a sticker several months ago advising me to ensure the hand brake was engaged properly , as if we all park and decide not to engage our hand brakes willy nilly parking my car always had to consist of applying the hand brake then undergo several checks to affirm the same.
Matthew richardson
Dear Mike,
Your tyre wear issue sounds like it could be down to one of two things:
1) That your suspension bushes are worn and in need of replacement (puting more pressure on the tyre).
2) Wheel bearings might be at fault.
Should be an £80ish fix from an indie dealer, more than double that from Vauxhall direct.
Dear Matthew,
You say your car is an 05 – is it still therefore under the 3 year manufacturer warranty? If so there is an extremely good chance that Vauxhall will cover this (especially as, if the car is mechanically dubious, it would apparently lay the blame with them).
The best thing you can do is to contact them directly – and immediately to find out where you stand. If you can also get legal advice, it might be worth considering.
Of course, you could also write to the Citizens advice bureau and VOSA. Good luck!
thank you for your prompt response , i have e-mailed vauxhall twice since last tuesday no response, vosa have spoken to twice since then onceby phone the next day then by e-mail
i will now contact cab thank you again
regards
matthew r
I am a solicitor in Edinburgh acting in a claim for a lady whose Signum rolled back on her causing extensive crushing injuries and a fracture to her leg. I know of other cases in England and one fatality to a pedestrian due to a runaway Vauxhall. There are not just a few cases but a significant number and someone needs to be collating the information that I suspect others might prefer did not see the light of day
John Taylor
Dear mr Taylor
you sound like just the man to champion our cause, if you can help leave a message and i will forward my e mail address, i for one think this is a travistry and we should all take a stand to have this problem investigated and resolved to our satisfaction ,not that of vauxhall and the puppets that pertain to be in our interest.
Yours Sincerely
Matthew Richardson
Dear Matthew
Just to assure everyone that I was not ambulance chasing – or perhaps Vectra chasing might be more appropriate !! My concern is that Vauxhall have tried to imply that there are very few such cases wheeras I have looked at several sites similar to this one, RAC, AA etc and they all have many complaints noted. The problem is greater in scope than Vauxhall would like us to believe. I am trying to find out how wide the problem is. The position Vauxhalls lawyers are adopting is that claimants are having trouble replicating the hand brake failure in tests therefor they have a problem proving that its a faulty design and so there is no liability on Vauxhall. In other words take your best shot at us in Court and see you there. Now if you have a, say , £600 bump are you going to litigate against a huge corporation with infinite resources to appeal etc? Probably you will just pay for the repair and go away – at least thats what they will bank on. In fairness its a card played by Insurers and Government all the time with claimants.
At the moment the problem is one of evidence but there are regulations relating to product liability which don’t require a claimant to show fault and I wonder if Vauxhall are hoping that is not raised as an issue with them?
My e mail address is jtaylor@macmac.com if you want to discuss this further.
Hi John,
Whilst we’re not about to become a clearing house for complaints for any one manufacturer, if there’s a genuine problem then we of course want to let Vauxhall users know about it. As such, if there’s anything to do in support of your work then let me know.
Kind regards,
Mr B
Dear Mr Butterscotch
i now have become an avid reader of your site and of course do not now feel alone in this wilderness of vauxhall mayhem ,and the problems and the financial aftermath these vehicles are alegedly causing , its either that or we all need to go to hand brake school NOW THERES A FUTURE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME SMART MOTOR MANUFACTURER, sorry i digress thank you for your in terest in all our cases I for one have contacted the legal proffession and await futher instructions from the same HEY all you sufferers out there lets get to the bottom of this now.
Matthew R
Dear Mr B
thanks for the assist. Good site by the way
regards
John
Dear Mr butterscotch
braking news ,
the iraq war is just friendly banter
the credit crunch is a figment of our imagination
the third world povety situation is only a glitch
president bush is in control
prime minister brown really will be our saviour
AND BEST OF ALL VAUXHALL CARS DO NOT HAVE A HAND BRAKE PROBLEM what was i worried about all these e-mails to and fro to your good self and other disilusioned fellow drivers who,s cars have decided to go for spin all on their own leaving us with untold joy i/e higher premiums and now no no claims bonus, im thrilled, well thats what i am left to think after my surprise e-mail from my car manufacturer, however we know the truth.
matthew a
Hi Matthew,
I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank you for the comments regarding the site but also to let you know that all of us at Car Articles are firmly behind the continuing investigation that Mr John Taylor is taking up. Best of luck to all of you who are currently having problems with your cars.
dear mr butterscotch,
i have a vectra(54 plate) which i use as a taxi.yesterday morning, i parked my car outside my house, which is on a moderate slope ,2 minutes or so after going in, the handbrake released itself, rolled off down the road and ploughed into my neighbours mercedes benz(which is now known as bent)which is probably written off, which is lucky (but not for my neighbour ) because if there isnt a car parked where his was, young children normally play which could have resulted in major injury or even death
Was glad to find a site that shared my views after watching my girlfriend being dragged down our driveway by her corsa (08 plate). She previously had problems in work with the car moving in the car park and i also found that while pulling off the drive it tended to roll even when the hand brake was engaged fully. We finally contacted vauxhall after the car rolled back off our driveway taking my girlfriend with it (thankfully she was uninjured) and i managed to stop it a mere short hop to our neighbours front door. As the car door was open and there is a lampost at the bottom of our property, the drivers door ended up facing 180 degrees the wrong way causing extensive damage to the door frame and front wing! The very unhelpful chap on the phone seemed clueless as to why this could have happened and advised us to bring the car in to the service department where they will perform extensive testing. I will update when we hear more.
My girlfriend’s Tigra has been having handbrake problems for some time and eventually came crashing into a tree earlier this week when the handrake failed completely. The Vauxhall dealer claim that there are no issues with he Tigra handbrake but our latest eppisode seems to contradict this claim. Are there any other Tigra owners out there having the same problem? We’ve been left with the repair bill but this is surely Vauhall’s liability. Can anyone offfer any advice?
I too had a problem with the handbrake releasing itself on a 2005 Vectra C. Although this is clearly caused by my inability to apply the handbrake in the correct manner. Ha. The vehicle has had the rework done but again this new modified handbrake released itself. I hear from a mechanic friend within the Vauxhall dealer network that these modified handbrakes are also to be recalled. The fact that in only happened 3 times on the original and once so far on the reworked unit makes it very hard to prove that the handbrake is at fault. Vauxhall WILL have blood on their hands and some stage and i will NEVER purchase another (previous 5 cars all VX), hope they go bust!
I have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.7 SXI CDTI type D. I parked the car outside the gates at the end of the drive. Roughly 30-45mins after parking it there we saw the car coming down the driveway at a considerable rate and ended up crashing into the house. This has caused approximately caused £10,000 worth of damage to the house and £1,000 worth of damage to the car. This is the second time the handbrake has released itself. This incident has considerably affected my insurance premium for next year. I phoned Vauxhall the first time who denied all knowledge that there was any problem with the handbrake and that this is the first time that they have heard of such a problem. After being persisting with phone calls I spoke to someone who said that they are fully aware of the problem and they would like to get my car in as soon as possible so that Vauxhall engineers can test the handbrake mechanism. I have now been told by my insurance company that they wish to look into this matter further and take legal action against Vauxhall.
a fantastic information for information seeker
hi i have a vectra and on two occasions in 2008 the handbrake disengaged itself causing considerable damage to the car and a neighbors front garden i contacted vauxhall on both incidents after the first they said how sorry they were to hear that it had happened but they had tested the handbrake and found no faults with the system on vectras after the second incident three months after the first i contacted them again and they stated that they were going to pass it on to their legal dept ? and get back to me now today i have received the recall for my car to go and get a spring thingy to the handbrake in accordance with vosa this after their extensive testing programme my point is i am 610 pounds out of pocket from the 2 insurance claims (excess) would i have some sort of case to claim this back as surely they are now admiting that there is a problem with the handbrake
wh
Hi Wayne,
I’m afraid to say, there was in fact a product recall on your car, if you have a Vectra that meets the VIN start/end date contained here:
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp
You should certainly be eligible for some sort of compensation I would imagine given that you were told originally (after the first claim) that there no faults.
Suggest you take this up with VOSA and find out what their view is on the matter.
my partner has an 05 vectra and his car rolled off down our road the other and hit a lamp post, which then in turn fell towards the car. this has left us having to pay £550 excess and my partner loosing his no claims bonus when he was’nt even in the car. i dread to think what would have happened if someone was walking past because you would not be able to hear it coming. if the wheels were pointing in a different direction the car would have ended up in my neighbours front room. do you think it would be possible to claim back the excess paid as its NOT our fault?
Hi Samantha,
Unfortunately, the only way that you can get the excess back is if the car was sold with a known fault and no attempt was made (if your model falls within the recall period) to contact you to rectify the problem.
Check the VOSA search I linked to and see if this is the case. They should be able to advise you further in this case.
Hi thanks for the answer would you consider the sticker that was sent out as contact for a recall as i only had the recall letter on the 19th of this month and the accidents/roll aways occured in april and july 08 , i will be contacting vosa and vauxhall and will let you know any feedback i get off them
wh
I have a 55 plate SRi CDTI Vectra and I too have experienced this mysterious roll and unfortunately this caused significant damage to my car.. This happened in Sept 2008 and I to this day I am adament my handbrake was applied with enough force and explained this to insurers, recovery etc..
No idea if my car was recalled or is affected..
Left our Vauxhall Vectra est.(07) plate parked on a slight incline in a cemetery on the 22/1/09. It was parked for approx 20mins plus and then gently rolled away – with the hand brake still applied -coming to rest on a grave stone causing damage to the gravestone and the said Vectra. After being repaired, examined, and numerous correspondence with Vauxhall they, surprisingly, say they have no faults with their hand brakes. I will endevour never to purchase a G.M. motor vehicle again. I think their executive support dept. are like an osterich with their head in the sand.
Hi just to let you know that i have had no joy with vauxhall as they state they will not reimburse my excess and their position on this will not change so needless to say i am dissapointed with their stance so the vauxhall has gone and i will never buy another also the depreciation on their cars is almost criminal
Hi just been looking at a lot of different sites about the hand brake problem .Ive got a different story last week my wife parked her car a 2003 vetra on a hill she parked it in gear with the hand brake on and walked of the car sat as normal but when she came back she thought that some one had stole it with the amount demage done to it it is close to be written off But when she checked the hand brake lever was on the on position. A passer buy told her the car just started to move on its own
well all ur storys are funny my handbrake broke on me as i pulled it up but it a bit older than all these just stressed i gotta go garage and pay for it when it should not have broke
Hi just an update the vauxhall has gone long live the audi
hi my name is amanda and i owned a vauxhall zafira ,
i was unloading my car and wilst i was taking plants into my house my 6 year old son went into the car to get a toy. my 8 year old son shut the back childlocked door while his brother was still in the car, as he could not get out he climbed over stepping on the hand brake which realesed and and went rolling down the road. the car crashed into a neighbours wall and gate nearlly killing my son. luckily my son was not hurt.
if there are problems with vauxhall hand brakes people sould be warned of this, i never leave my car in gear but after this i will .
I have an 2005 Astra SRI 1.9, I bought it July 2007, it lasted five months before it started to play up. The turbo system failed almost causing a crash at a roundabout; the driver seat slid forward when breaking; and the alarm kept sounding without anyone being near it; then the alarm indicator lights would come on and off but no alarm siren. The central locking would unlock itself, I would lock the car in the evening and it would be unlocked in the morning. Vauxhall fixed the seat (which has now broken again) after taking it in two more times they fixed the turbo systerm (which is now showing signs of failing again) and the alarm and central locking they said had no fault shown, however I asked for the mechanic fault sheet it showed there was a fault with the alarm and central locking and they allowed it out of the garage without fixing it and didn’t tell me about it.
As if all that is not bad enough my handbrake released on the car and rolled off my driveway and a stranger who was almost hit by the car had to knock at my door and tell me he saw it roll across the busy road and smash into an electrial box. I contacted Vauxhall and they requested the CCTV footage as they didn’t believe my statement, then they said it wasn’t enough, so I tracked down the man who knocked at the door who is willing to provide a witness statement (he is pretty upset the car almost hit him), Vauxhall said they are unwilling to look at his witness statement and say they are not liable as i didn’t leave it in gear. My car has since released its handbrake with myself inside the car (while on a flat surface so I didn’t put it in gear).
This is by far the worse car I have had. I have a 5 year finance and no warranty left and a dangrous car which can kill someone. If anyone has any advice please help by leaving a comment or even your own experience if you’ve been succesful as Vauxhall state “we have not received significant feedback to warrant a recall being issued for this concern”.
Interested to read this Email trail. Last night I visited a car park on a slope. Locked the car stood outside for a few mins went into the shop. As I was coming out caught sight of the car rolling back into another car. My car is 8 weeks old, corsa diesel 1.3. The back bumper is ruined.This is the first time I’ve had a brand new car. I at least expected it to be safe. What if it had rolled onto a child! I’m now off to the dealers but don’t expect to get any joy……..
Hi Jackie,
Vauxhall first question will be did you leave it in gear? answer is probably no. But don’t let them tell you there are not liable because of this. Your car is not fit for it’s purpose if they refuse to fix it whilst it’s in it’s warranty period. Did you get any witness’s at the time? This problem with the handbrake is an ongoing one especially with Corsa’s. Although the Vauxhall mechanics will tell you they can’t find a problem because it’s a intermittant fault. They Void there financial agreement if they refuse to fix it within the warranty period. Like I said its not fit for it’s purpose. If you get no joy with Vauxhall, go direct to trader standards/ consumer direct they are called now and the financial ombudsman and VOSA, your call is not safe and needs to be repaired or recalled, most of the Corsa have been recalled because of this problem, watchdog did a piece on it. Dont let them get away with telling you the highway code and drivers manual tells you to leave it in gear. Because the highway code says leave it in gear on a hill (not slope) and the drivers manual states leave it in gear all the time but this is under the advice section not the compulsory section. Don’t let them bully you.
If you need any help just let me know.
Katie
To whom it may concern
I would like to log a complaint with the Vauxhall Astra I have.
I have been researching on the Internet and found you to be a good source of information.
I bought my 56 reg sxi astra about 4 months ago.When i first got it after the ‘ so many point checks’ the dealers do, the seat belt on the passenger side didn’t work. I took it back and they did fix it. To be honest not the point seeing as they obviously didn’t do the ‘ so many point’ check before we took ita way.
We have since had it in twice. Once on record and them having a look at it and once someone oming out of the garage to have a quick look. This is all with Wilson and Co, Bolton, who we bought it from.
We stated that it doesn’t start in the morning on most occasions and have to turn the engiene over a few times before it starts. When it does it sounds like there is trapped air in it and it cuts out again.
On the occasion it has cut out at the lights, not many times but surly 56 reg shouldnt be doing this.
When we were away on holiday at the end of June the car would not start full stop. And we had to jump start it!!
Since then when i am driving it ( when it does start) there is a gurgling coming from what seems like under the dash board behinf the steering wheel.
I have had vauxhall look at this aswell and they cannot find anything wrong with it.
They did say the coolantw as low so advised me to top it up, when i do top it up it is low again in a matter of days- no air con on either.
And now the cherry on the cake:
I park the car outside the house one evening last week as normal. Got up in the morning, opened curtains, car still there outside the window. Go to get ready and then set out the door to go to work…car not there!
Instead its 20 meters or so down the road and crashed into a wall. The handbrake to me works fine, to which i was botherd i hadn’t but it on right, but surly it would of gone down the road sooner than what it had done.
Now it looks a mess. The alloy has been completely demolished inside, And behind the brakes (the axil i have been told) is completely split. Not to mension paintwork damage front and back of the car where it had slide into things and the wall.
After reading up on it on the internet i have found alot of people having the same probem with the new astras and i would like to look into it more.
I understand to go through my insurance but i dont want to do that if it is a manufacturers fault.
Please is there anything you can advise me.
Here is what im doing so far:
* Tomorrow it is being picked up by the garage i use fo them to have an independant look.
* I will then have Samson Bolton have a look and see hwat they think-they work with my insurance company.
*I am to log a complaint to my finance company – Northridge finance.
* I am to log a complaint to Wilson and Co and take in the articles i have on astra defaults and see what they have to say.
Bit unsure what else to do, Please could you help??
Kindest Regards
Liz Pycroft
i wrote in an article dated 5th october about my car also my taxi going off down the road because the handbrake released itself. because this was a fault claim on my insurance( because vauxhall would not accept liability )my insurance has doubled, i am now having to pay £2000 a year. i would like to know if they have admitted liability to anyone with a dodgy handbrake
If other models have the same design of handbrake then they too have the same defect.
These people do not understand that you are keeping them in business by complaining and letting them fix it.
You should boycott Vauxhall and kill them off. There are plenty of alternative makes including some which are made the UK.
My grandsons Corsa 53 reg. rolled down the hill
this week and damaged a lamp post. The car had been parked with the handbrake on and in gear on an incline. The car had been parked for approximately 1/2 hours before rolling down the hill.
God only knows how it missed the other cars in the road. The car has a current MOT certificate and had a service earlier this year. How in goodness does this happen ?
Yet another parking brake disaster by the looks of it…I bought my car in March 09 and at no time was aware of any issue with the parking brake. Yesterday the car having been parked on a slope for 25 minutes decided to disengage and rolled down the road into a parked car and apparently continued to travel…. Thank god children are back at school as the story could have been so different.
Bought secondhand from a car company shouldn’t this “modification” and or “sticker” that is talked about have been in place?
Any advice?
I have hired a smart 2F and also parked this car on a slope.The Handbrake was fully engaged ,yet the car roled back down the slope 1.1\2 hrs.later
onto a neighbouring house causing extensive damage.I an left Eueo 400.00 out of pocket and I know it is not my fault.When do insurance companies wake up to this problen.The driver of my tow truck ,just loughed and said “just another one,
always the same,handbrake on ,car rolled back.
21.sept.209
I’m so gald to have found this site! i own a vauxhall tigra which i love. unfortunatly while visiting my parents and paking my car on their driveway which has an incline my handbreak failed, luckly only causing damage to my car and not the house. i booked it into to vauxhall only to be told that ‘they find females struggle to pull the handbreak fully’ then whilst sat in my car today paked on the flat the handbreak compltly disengaged by itself. i’m at a loss as to what to do if vauxhall are not admitting liabilty and really can’t afford to fix my car at at least £600. I’m now scared to park my car anywhere, anyone any advice?
Hi Katie,
There are plenty of other comments here from others who have had similar problems. I am completely shocked and disgusted at the comment re ‘females struggle to pull the handbrake fully’. I wonder what trading standards have to say about that? Do you have any documentation or evidence of this statement? It would certainly help with any claim you may have. The fact is, if a motor vehicle cannot be operated in the conventional manner by a reasonable able person who is legally fit to drive I’m pretty sure that some sort of consumer protection law will have been broken!
I parked my 56 reg astra estate in the carpark of the local police station last weekend. I left the car on a gentle slope having applied the handbrake in a similar way to how I always do, with plenty of clicks. I got my two year-old son out of the car and went into the station.
When I came out, the car had rolled and damaged the rear bumpers of two cars belonging to coppers who were working at the time. Miraculously, my bumper was practically undamaged, which is one thing I can say for Vauxhall; the rear bumber on the 56 reg astra estate is extremely robust, shame the handbrake locking system isn’t…
I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked into the car and it looked very much like the handbrake was down in the ‘off’ posiion. My first instinct, like so many before it seems, was that I had somehow forgotten to apply it. I told one of the officers that I had been sure I had applied the break, she said, ‘Well, of course you did, otherwise the car wouldn’t have stayed where it was when you got out would it?’ That’s when it twigged.
My car’s second hand and still under warranty, I want to approach the garage where I bought the car with this but I really wanted to go to them with some ammo. Is there any new news on a possible recall for this particular car? I tried citizen’s advice and they weren’t a great deal of help. At the very least, I would like the garage to replace the spring. I’ve only had my easytronic for a short time, I wasn’t actualy aware that I could leave it in gear as I’m used to autos which have a ‘P’ mode for parking. It’s all very well leaving a car in gear, which I am doing now, but does this advice imply that Vauxhall do not think cars need to have handbrakes anymore? If so, why do we have them?