Where can I have an ESP fault on my wife's 2006 Volkswagen Golf repaired?

The warning light on my wife's 2006 Volkswagen Golf 4-wheel-drive Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) has just come on automatically and I cannot switch the indication off. Is this particularly dangerous and can I effectively ignore it for the moment? She drives quite gently and I don't tend to push things overly either. If I have to replace the unit what is the most economical way of doing it? I am more than competent mechanically and can undertake routine work e.g. pad replacement and even gearbox stripdowns. Do you have any hints, tips, pitfalls to avoid etc that you might let me have?

Asked on 4 July 2011 by PB, Aboyne

Answered by Honest John
See if the Volkswagen dealer will fix it either for a small payment (now usually down to about £435) or completely free. If he won't fix it for less than £700 then go to an independent VAG specialist, have him remove the ABS/ESP unit, and send it to www.ecutesting.co.uk or www.sinspeed.co.uk to have a replacement pressure sensor installed. That costs about £350 plus removing and refitting.
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