Exeter Fiat-Alfa changed my inlet manifold and steering rack under warranty a few years ago. However they weren't interested in diagnosing what I thought was a rough running engine. They said 'if no warnings lights burn it's fine and that's just the way the car is'.

So I thought okay and lived with what I thought was a normal car. Then I was quoted £850 for a cambelt change so I investigated other options. Auto Lusso in Ferndown did the job for £400 and also said that my engine was rough and they could easily fix it; and they did. I now have five cylinders firing smoothly for the first time in three and half years.

Is my experience typical?