I just want to know if I am doing the right thing here or barking up the wrong tree, ill try to summarise my situation briefly.

Bought a used skoda 54 plate octavia vrs from skoda dealer april.

After a few days got a knocking noise.

Car went back to dealer within 30 days, they said its slight play in arb droplink, comeback when its more serious.

Continuing, worsening knocking noise driving me mad,not to mention funny stares when going over road humps. (checked over by mech i trust, he says needs the new redisigned front arb)

Coil pack went yesterday, car came with AA mechanical breakdown warranty (dont buy, its useless) I thought great can get knocking sorted too, phoned AA as your supposed to and they point me to a recommended garage (national) who charged me £49 diag fee (AA dont cover this) but at least replaced coil, says knocking is lower arms (wishbone) and want about £210 to fix as its not covered by AA - wear n tear he says.

Ive got back to original dealer who say they will look at again - i said categorically not paying a diag fee. Dealer says will try claim off AA but if bushes its wear n tear and not covered. Hence back to square 1

What I am proposing to do is give them one last chance to sort it, as after the purchase I reported the fault in a timely manner, and I dont expect the car of that age and conditon and mileage (and purchase price) to wear out in such a short time. (sale of goods act 1979)

I will send dealer a recorded letter (also told them verbally) that if its not sorted out in say 7 days, then i will take it to a garage of my choosing and recover the costs via county court (small claims court)

So regardless of AA warranty I am saying the car was not of suitable quality and i am giving them a chance to sort it otherwise i will get it done and recover costs via court.

It seems to hinge on fair wear and tear but the knocking appeared after a few days, barely 50 miles, and i reported it within 30 days so have I got a good case or just wasting time?

Had the same prob with mine - knocking over humps. Changed the droplinks - very easy DIY and it sorted it a treat.

remove your leprechauns and your problem is solved

could also be the anti-roll bar sleave cracked which the bushes seat on

Not to fussed about the actual fault now, which i pretty sure will be sorted with new ARB and bushes, as I took it to the trusted indy garage and he confirmed its definetly that. (about 150 for new bar bushes and labour)

I just want to know if im going the down the right route with the dealer. I have drafted a letter to post recorded tomorrow giving them 7 days to fix it at no cost to me, otherwise i shall have it repaired elsewhere and then recover my costs via county court.

no idea what leprechauns have to do with it