My 76-year-old mother drove an 2003 Vauxhall Vectra petrol 2.2 automatic with below average mileage. Eleven months ago a new automatic gearbox was installed and last week we lost drive again. The automatic specialist who fitted the replacement box has looked at the car and reported that the current problem is not repairable under the still-valid warranty, as the problem is contamination of the gearbox with water due to a seal failing on the transmission oil cooler housed within the engine radiator.

I have read of this problem in your column on numerous occasions occurring to Mercedes-Benz models of a certain age. Is anyone aware of this same problem on Vauxhalls? Should we have been advised to change the radiator when the last gearbox was installed (I believe this is recommended on Mercedes)? My mother purchased from and always uses a local Vauxhall specialist and trusts them totally. I would appreciate your thoughts.