Thanks to everyone for your help and input. I will consider my options.

Thanks for your replys ninjainthenight and worndown. The vectra is a 2.2 petrol with a timing chain, not belt. I would have expected a chain and tensioner to last more than 78,000, indeed I never even thought about checking it until this happened. As I mentioned before, Vauxhall have admitted problems with their chain and tensioners during the change over from this model design to the new model but will only compensate for problems descovered and reported upto the year 2007. It seems that after that date you have to "take it on the chin" as ninjainthenight puts it. They didn't mention that to me when I bought the thing!

Hi all, First time on so please bear with. I drive a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra cd which I bought from new. About ten days ago it started mis-firing so I took it to my local garage. They had to strip the head off to find out what was going on and found that the timing chain tensioner had come appart which had caused the chain to slackern and jump two cogs. This threw out the timing (hence the mis-fire) which then bent 12 of the 16 valves. The cost of the repair and rebulid is just short of £1000. On investigation through Vauxhall it appears that they had expreienced problems with chain tensioners on this particular model at this time, as the vectra design and shape were being re-newed. Vauxhall then agreed to compensate drivers who had experienced trouble with timing chains on this car and year, but only upto 2007. I have owned this car from new and have never been asked to check the tensioner or had the car re-called. The first time I heard there was a problem was when it broke. Has anyone out there heard or experienced this problem, or can offer any advise on how I might push for compensation. P.S. the car has done 79,000 from new and has been regularilly serviced. Thanks.