I have a 2004 Volkswagen Lupo 1.4 16v with a full service history, just over 16,700 miles on the clock, always garaged, never screwed the car. My low emissions light came on, so I phoned the Volkswagen dealer and took it in for a diagnostic check. Work carried out: investigate emission light on. Carried out guided fault finding, misfire recognised on cylinder 2. Swapped ignition coil and spark plug to other cylinders. Misfire remained on cylinder 2. Carried out compression test, found low compression on cylinder 2, suspect valve/cylinder head issue. Re-assemble. Technician's comments: evidence of piston slap when engine was cold.

When I returned to pick car up they told me I would need a new engine. When I asked about the piston slap they said the teflon coating had worn away. I asked how they knew this, they said they could tell by listening to the engine. I thought they would have had to maybe test the oil to check for teflon being present, or check the pistons themselves. I was told the cylinder fault was something that happened to Lupo cars - I wish they had told me that before I bought it. Can you advise me?