Well the beast went into Parkview Skoda this morning (18204 miles on clock), this is the first time that I have been to a garage and found a parking space! Clean premises, polite staff the cost was £247, 50% more than Rainworth quoted but SWMBO didn't fancy a short break in Nottingham .
They lent me a 62 plate 1.4 TSI, nice car although it seemed sluggish compared to the normal car, but boy did it drink fuel 51 miles covered with the Maxidot showing 32.9 mpg, later the same route covered in my car showed 52.4 mpg!
Told no problems and 5mm all round on the tyres, a goodie bag was left on the front pax seat (halk bottle of screen wash, and can of PTFE spray?). All seemed well on the way home, but when I got home swmbo said the garage had called saying they had forgotten to mention I had a noisy front shocker, the parts were on order with an estimated fit early July. I have not heard any knocks, squeaks, clonks, or groans, will have a look in the morning.