My SEAT Ateca 1.6 diesel has under 50,000 miles and is 4 1/2 years old (first registered January 2019). It is at my local Seat workshop for an investigation into an unusual noise coming from the engine bay and to enable them check the AdBlue system which is showing 200 miles to go before the engine will not start but it has adequate fluid in the system.

The technician checked the AdBlue system and found it required an expensive new tank and sensors. He also removed the cam cover and found a damaged or badly worn cam belt - so bad that the technician would not restart the engine and pushed it out of the service bay to prevent a “catastrophic engine failure” (their words). They took photographs and sent them to VW. I was planning to replace the cam belt, water pump and pulleys at five years, so was very surprised at this news as every thing I read said 5 years or 140,000 miles.

At its last service, on the 30th June 2023, I opted for a service plan that included an extended 2 year warranty. The service manager had tried on my behalf to make a claim for the AdBlue system and cam belt repairs but had been rejected as there is a “no claim within 30 days” clause and I received the news about my car on day 20! Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.