I would like to draw your attention to the BBC Watchdog coverage of problems with the power steering of Vauxhall Merivas, which aired on 30 September. A trawl of the internet will also show that the problem with this vehicle is nationwide, and is affecting large numbers of owners. My understanding from the BBC programme is that Vauxhall is not obliged to recall these vehicles since VOSA has decided that, although there is a fault with the steering, the vehicles are still drivable. The BBC programme clearly indicated that this is not the case. They had an expert there who proved this by demonstration. They also had an extremely strong man indicate that he could not steer the vehicle once the EPS light came on and the power steering ceased to operate.

Since purchasing an (old model) Meriva in February this year I have had numerous occasions when the power steering has ceased to work on my car and the EPS light has come on. I have contacted Vauxhall about this with a negative result. I, along with many other Meriva owners, contacted Watchdog and they have highlighted that this vehicle has a fault. The Meriva I own, and clearly many others, are not fit for purpose. I believe they should be recalled and Vauxhall obliged to rectify the serious problem on these vehicles. There is a trading standards issue here and also the Latent Damage Act should be invoked, as this product fault has been noted on Merivas at least since 2003.