We have a 56 reg Passat TDI 140. It's been a really good car for the four-plus years we have had it. Spending money on wear and tear is fine and the £1000 or so spent last year on a service, cambelt change, discs and pads was just about bearable. We now have a bill for £338 to replace the parking brake motor that has failed!

What is the point of replacing a mechanical handbrake with such a unit, which incidentaly my wife hates, if this is the cost of malfunction? We will be changing for something nearly new but will not be buying another Passat that's for sure!