My sister in-law had her 2010 Volkswagen Polo DSG 1.4 petrol serviced at 50,000 miles by her local dealer last summer. A week later the sump plug along with all the oil fell out. She stopped as soon as could but the engine clearly must have run without oil for at least 30 seconds or more.

The dealer promised they'd 'look after her' and gave her her next two services for free as well as a free Superguard type paint treatment. However, after another 20,000 miles her Polo has started to sound rather like a diesel. I can't prove it of course, but my guess is that extra wear took place while the engine ran without oil.

The dealer has offered her £4500 trade in against a new car, but I don't really think they are doing her any great favour and they say the knocking is probably just 'bushes'. What do you think?