Engine wash probably means an engine bay clean, no doubt done using a high pressure jetwash. Loads of potential for water to get where it shouldn’t.

However it could also be a DSG problem which will be expensive to fix.

I used brokers, and specifically Swinton for the first couple of years after passing my test, purely and simply because I wanted to deal with a person.

Around 1991 we bought a Mini, the condition of which was entirely consistent with the cars we'd had before. Bought one evening, in the rain, no chance of seeing it properly till the next day, when it turned out to be a rustbucket....

Why not simply make it a legal requirement to have an annual comprehensive vehicle service which also incorporates aspects of the existing MOT and forms part of a national statistics data base. Such a scheme would ensure a majority of vehicles receive at least one service per year and simultaneously help identify any trend in vehicle defects or failure. A small minority of vehicle owners are reluctant to carry out any form of vehicle servicing unless presented with an MOT failure.

In response to Engineer Andy:

I had a Rover 214Si (1996) which although it ran well had a final ECU problem, that convinced me to sell and buy a Rover 2.0 Diesel in 2002. The diesel didn't benefit from low Road Tax, but it did do 50+ mpg (once it got a new diesel fuel pump after Rover went phut), and ran for 140,000 miles till Jan 2013.

My homework was done, to death (on prices, mpg, reliability etc) but without HJs website nor the Telegraph. So I bought a VW Golf, 1.6TDi, 15 months old, under 10k on the clock (ex hire car I believe).

The Salesman did ask me what mileage I intended doing, approx. 12,000 per year, at the time and 25 mile *2 trips a day to and from work, so I can't say he didn't warn me about low mileage usage. There was of course, no mention of DPF and EGR problems, perhaps a bit early for them to have surfaced on that car (?). Road Tax was now only £30/year and a full tank of diesel got me 700 miles, so what wasn't to like?

Of course, the new Diesel was bound to be cleaner that my old Rover, so what not to like there either, doing my wee bit for the Planet as well.

My circumstances have changed, no longer at work and commuting, but still managing just about 30k in last 3 years "touring". I've cut out 75% or more of journeys under two miles into Town & back, walking instead. I've even been running on BP Ultimate since June..!

Do you suggest that after I've maintained the Car with all services, done on time, replaced all Timing belts etc at 5 years that I should chuck the car away, have I made some horrendous mistake that anyone could forsee, or have events outside my control taken over? I don't have £s to throw away, should I cut my losses and go back to Petrol now, or run this car to it's natural end whilst the Powers That Be sort themselves out, but not at my expense?

BTW, I've not taken up VWs "voluntary" emissions fix, I see a get out for any problems that may arise post fix as my 5 year service, and later, wasn't done by a VW Franchise - that I believe may scupper the two year warranty (can't think why it should if the car is properly serviced)

DJM
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