I purchased a Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI Match back in February from Car Giant in London. I was the second owner, with the car previously being a fleet car. The car has 82,000 miles on the clock and was first registered in December 2008. I paid £7400 for it.

In June, on a trip to Cornwall, we had an engine failure. After getting it towed back home we were told that it was a big end failure and the car would need a replacement or refurbished engine - the total cost was £3050.

I've since spoken to Volkswagen as, although this is outside of warranty, I find it completely unacceptable. The car came without a standard warranty from Car Giant, so I had to cover all the repair costs myself. Volkswagen has shown no sympathy whatsoever as we bought the car from Car Giant and had the work carried out at a non-Volkswagen garage.

What are my rights, as £3000 was a great expense to me and I now have no faith in the car.