In my previous posting, frustrations and disbelief got the better of me and I’m sorry but I forgot to mention that I had reluctantly instructed my garage yesterday morning to carry out the repair - ie replacement head. This decision was based on all the information I had gleaned from various phone calls to VW dealerships, trusty mechanics and also the response on here. I note what you say heliosuk and I was prepared to dig in heels very firmly but felt on balance the timescales would be so lengthy (need car to care for elderly relative) and the very slim chance of any goodwill from VW would probably equate to roughly the same charge from my local guys as any VW discount would be cancelled out by their higher rates. I do feel bitterly disappointed as this should never have happened and in future may even consider buying sheds that have gone round the clock. No more 3 cylinder engines for me! Good luck to anyone else who might be in this unfortunate situation.

Thanks for the response heliosuk. Unfortunately you have confirmed my suspicions. Since posting the original message I’ve spoken with several others at VW dealerships and independent VW garages and it does look like a definite no. One VW dealership within my area advised that outside the 3 year warranty a 5 year age comes into play in these situations and anything above that, even with VW service history, will not be considered. I would have liked to think that there are exceptional circumstances, ie the extremely low mileage, and that each case should be looked at individually but it seems not. VW know that any 6 year old car should not need a new head let alone one with 22k miles on the clock. They play on the subject of loyalty when it comes to service history (we can’t all afford their prices); I’ve tried arguing that my loyalty to them is testimony to the fact that I’ve owned a VW for 20 years but obviously that doesn’t wash. Well I’m afraid my loyalty from now will be to a different manufacturer which I know will not matter one jot to VW!

I have read with great interest about Blinky’s polo predicament as I too find myself in a similar one. I note that Blinky had some good advice from Heliosuk re the wording of initial correspondence to VW and wonder whether I could also receive a copy please? For the last 5 years I have been the owner of a 2005 (05) reg 1.2 polo which has done only 22k miles. I recently experienced loss of power and the exhaust warning light came on. A diagnostic check detected cylinder 1 misfire. Tests to ign coils/spark plugs/injector revealed no faults. Compression test revealed cylinder 1 - 125psi, cylinder 2 - 175psi, cylinder 3 - 175psi. I am advised that cylinder 1 is 50psi below what it should be and to replace cylinder head and update engine ECU software at an estimated cost of £1200. I trust the advice I have been given which comes from a reputable local garage who have informed me that this is a known problem and a precedent has been set; they tell me a local independent VW garage has done 8 repairs of this kind this year alone to cars which have the same engine code as mine. I have owned 4 polos over the last 20 years with no problems until now. Like others in this situation I feel aggrieved and that a young(ish) car with extremely low mileage, carefully driven and regularly serviced should not experience this kind of fault and will be looking to VW to address this. I have a regular service history but not with VW. I’ve started the phone calls and as expected have hit a brick wall immediately. I am in the process of compiling my documentation/evidence to send to VW customer care but don’t feel hopeful after reading others experiences. After paying £50 for a diagnostic I object to paying for another one but I understand why VW have to do their own if I approach them for help, what I don’t understand is why my local dealership has to charge £228 for it! I would rather put that towards the cost of repair especially if they’re not forthcoming with any offers of contributions. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.