I had removed the centre dashboard panel to replace the hazard switch but I was having real difficulty finding the correct part in all the usual internet places. I got a correct looking switch but it was the wrong alignment and although I tried cobbling a Frankenstein switch made up of the old and the new I reached a dead end. Cue refund and another approach. I even considered remounting the hazard switch where it’s put on the later model but this would bring other complications such as having mismatched dashboard parts.

Regrettably I had to purchase ANOTHER WHOLE centre dashboard panel to get the correct switch! I really could not see another way around and having checked with the vendor that the panel included the switch I went ahead and ordered it. Fortunately all was well and the panel arrived with the switch and it all went back together very easily. Of course I had a couple of screws left over. I wonder where they were supposed to go?!

As it was a nice sunny day I then went under the bonnet to fit the new air filter and this went fine although the incredibly tight space to fit the rear screws was as hard to do up as it was to undo. I also put back the plastic engine cover which I had cleaned.

Last job was to put the wiper arms back on. These are very worn but new units are expensive so I’m wondering about finding something from a scrap yard. These will do for the moment (post test drive note: they were not tightened up enough!).

So with the car looking more roadworthy I was itching to have a drive so I taxed it and drove up the road to Tesco to lob in some petrol as it was getting a bit low. One brake was slightly scuffing but not enough to actually bind, otherwise she drives like a 116,000 miles VW – not bad all round.

After refuelling I dropped the roof down and enjoyed that wind-in-the-hair thing we all love.

There are quite a few things left to do for eventual sale, next will be the passenger door handle which has pulled too far out. I’ve looked at how to remove it and it either needs refixing or replacing. Also I need to find out how to replace the battery in the remote – I can’t figure it out but without it the alarm keeps going off when I park it which is antisocial and very annoying. Also, with the warmer weather I’m more inclined to crawl underneath to explore the oil leak and hopefully remove the undertray which was previously reluctant to come off.