''The mileage is 77,000 and during the year the dealer has replaced the DPF, the EGR valve and one injector. I have only paid for the cost of the DPF, £1,000''

Are we to assume these were supposed solutions (guesses) to an ongoing problem that has never been fixed, or is it one new problem after another.

If the former, a throw parts at it till we happen upon a fix method, then i wouldn't expect any great revelations when the head comes off, nor would i want them doing the job of diagnosis if the previous parts haven't fixed it.

If the latter, then once this problem is fixed what next?

Either way if the thing is running i'd be inclined to think about replacing the car before it costs you any more, as said the lifetime warranty wasn't transferable unless you know different, or if you really think it needs another engine but rest of car worth the expense then i'd try to find a genuine mileage (good luck with that) used lump which can go in complete.

Edited by gordonbennet on 22/05/2017 at 10:16

Sounds like Vauxhall / GM are looking after you well, now that the cause has been identified.

Nice to hear.

For yoiur info, this is the last communication sent to the dealership: I have deleated names!

Since taking delivery of our car and completing some 600 miles it seems to be running well with no faults occurring so we are relieved.

We feel we need to send a final communication copied to CEO Now Vauxhall, General Manger at S.. branch and at General Motors UK Ltd, Customer Care Centre.

There is no need for us to repeat the events that started when we first took our car to Now Vauxhall in Marlborough back in April 2016 as it has been well documented and sent previously to all concerned. We would however like to comment, voice our opinion and seek answers in a number of areas. To remind you, since April the following parts have been replaced: the EGR valve, one diesel injector, the DPF and finally the head gasket.

Since April we have had as courtesy cars; three different Vauxhall Vivas, an Insignia, a Mokka and finally a long term loan of a Meriva. The point here being that our car has not been driven much by us, but instead been in your possession undertaking repairs and diagnosis. With so many parts being replaced one after another it is our opinion that a ’throw parts at it ’till we happen upon a fix’ method has been adopted rather than a full and proper investigation and diagnostic approach from the start which we would have expected from such a large dealership.

The replacement of the head gasket has no doubt fixed the problem, but what caused this to fail? Why wasn’t this diagnosed earlier? Also what caused the DPF to fail and the injector? If the faulty injector was over fueling and chocked the DPF then continual forced regens (which HAS happened) could have lead to ‘melting’ of the DPF and therefore we should not have had to pay in excess of the £1,000 we were charged for the replacement of this expensive part.

When the DPF was fitted, you will remember that we asked for the car to be released to us to drive for a while to make sure that the problem had been fixed before we paid. This you refused saying that you were confident that this replacement would solve the problem. After just a day the problem, a lack of power returned. This we feel was a grave error on your part and we now insist on the refund of this amount.

On further inspection it was realised that the head gasket was at fault and required replacing. This was a major repair, but you were confident that it would be covered by our warranty. After inspection TWG made a decision that the head gasket failed not because of a manufacturing fault and therefore was not covered by the warranty. They were correct of course it was not a manufacturing fault, so what did cause the gasket to fail?

At this point we’d like to mention the support we have had from Kevin Flynn at General Motors. He worked tirelessly on our behalf trying to move things along. Finally, as you know Vauxhall UK paid for the replacement of the head gasket. We weren’t informed why they made this decision or how it came about. We are of course thank full.

Despite all of the untold millions of products and services for sale in todays market place us customers will exchange our hard earned money for only two things: Good feelings and solutions to problems. I think you’ll agree that Now Vauxhall has failed us on both accounts.

Mr & Mrs C Palmer