My Volkswagen Passat Estate (petrol) bought new in March 2006 and now with 37,200 miles on the clock would only start intermittently. The vehicle has a full service history and always serviced by a Volkswagen main dealer. The problem was diagnosed as fault with the steering column and the CCU (which I was told was the 'convenience control unit' ) both of which had to be replaced. The cost of replacing the CCU was £222.79, and the steering column was £297.98.

Volkswagen agreed to pay 40 per cent of the cost of the parts only, but with labour and VAT I ended up with a bill in excess of £730. Would you expect such a serious fault on a vehicle only just over four years old, and should Volkswagen have contributed more or indeed all the costs of replacement under the provisions of the Sale of Goods Act? I understand that the seller (a Volkswagen dealership) could be liable for up to six years from the date of sale.