Poor diagnostic methods are, of course, not the preserve of dealership workshops. It would seem that no 'specialist' knowledge needed to be required for this concern on a 9 year car which is hardly an uncommon model. That is what leads me to suggest that the job was given to an inexperienced or unmotivated member of the workshop team.

I believe many dealerships operate with 'an eye' on maximising invoice 'value'.

Naivety - surely not Peter? How many times do we read of such cases, where the 'nuclear option' is employed initially?

It will be interesting to follow this case further.