Those members with relatively long memories - or a keen interest in the search function - may recall that I had an ongoing problem with my Octavia estates' number plate lights not working. A quick fix (which turned into a rather longer term one) was to connect them to a rear tail light, the only downside being that the bulb failure warning light stayed on all the time.

I most likely would have continued in this way if it wasn't for the fact that the tail light that they were connected to recently stopped working as well...in fact both bulbs at the side of the nearside rear light cluster were out.

So with another MOT looming I had the guys at Awesome GTI take a look at it, and they eventually diagnosed a fault with the Central Electronics Control Module. Replacement including diagnosis, labour and coding the new unit came just short of £400 - ouch!

Still at least I am fully illuminated again and with no warning lights. Fortunately for my wallet the car passed the MOT with no problems.

Ouch indeed