I have owned the car for 2 years having previously been a Toyota management car.

That could well mean its been abused by all and sundry including the press. Just think how cars get abused on top gear and they will all be sold on as "ex management" or "ex demonstrator" by dealers who buy them direct.

You have no chance of a free replacement.

If that is the case I think I have a strong case. The car was purchased through Toyota used approved.

It was "Approved" by Toyota 2 years ago. They have no idea how you have treated it like you have no idea how it was treated before you bought it.

If they are punting cars that have been thrashed and passing them off as one owner ex manager cars they've got a problem. If I wanted an ex hire car I would have gone to a car supermarket.

All manufacturers sell ex lease cars and other cars as "nearly new" etc on their dealers forcourts. Supermarkets sell exact same cars but cheaper with none of the meaningless "approved" nonsense.

My last three cars have all gone over 100k miles on 1 clutch.

You cannot use that as a reason to get a free replacement.

Some interesting points!

A clutch failing at 70K miles is fair enough especiay with a diesel and its increased torque.

For a 1.8 petrol to go after 39,000 it must either be made of complete carp or someone has seriously abused the car before hand.

My previous car was a 2.0 tdi Octavia that did 140K on 1 clutch and that included towing a car trailer and reversing up steep inclines, none of which this car has done.

Either way I think I'm off to sell the thing. Its been the most unreliable car I have had in 16 years of driving. Constant problems with the electric brake and the brake system in general.

I would steer clear of one if mine is anything to go by.

Intersting thread, with an unsurprising outcome.

Agree with the poster above re electric parking brakes, when used as intended with automatic release, will cause premature clutch wear.