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I'll call Lexus help line, as some people in Reading don't know a lot about warranty. I'll demand detailed warranty cover for everything. As long as you use genuine Lexus parts, warranty is still valid, doesn't matter where you do you service or repairs. This guy who took my car in thought the same but only thought. There's no damage to the window.

A couple of weeks ago I returned to my 460 after shopping in a supermarket. When I started the engine I had a Master Warning light, two messages on the display - Check VGSR and Check VSC - and the steering wheel was offset at 45 degrees. The car had been perfect up till then. For the uninitiated; VGSR is Variable Geometry Steering Ratio and VSC is Vehicle Stability Control. I had read about this problem on the US forum and there, they were quoting about $5000 to change the steering rack, including labour. I took the car to my local Lexus garage in The Hague. I know the service manager very well and they have been looking after me since my LS400 days. They took the car in and plugged in the diagnostics. Amongst the possible problems was a failed steering rack but the service guys refused to believe that - they are old-style engineers and like to use logic. They decided to do a complete diagnostic test of ALL the electronics. Would you believe that the problem was in the 'Park Assist' module. It had gone out of limits. They did a complete reset of ALL the electronics and a realignment of the front and back wheels. The car has been perfect since. Oh, the cost?............260 euros. A good garage is worth its weight in gold

Lexus Reading are open till 6pm, so I just spoke to the service department. He told me that electrics, including the stereo and speaker system were covered by the warranty. Although they were a little unclear as to the service requirements for eligibility of the warranty. The guy told me that it needed a full Lexus history, whereas the other dealer I have used, Jemca Edgware Road, said that the previous history was irrelevant as long as you get it serviced at the dealer on time during the warranty period. Having told him this, he asked his manager who said that as long as the car had been serviced, it didn't have to be at Lexus beforehand. So there seems to be a little confusion on some aspects.

WHAT YOU ARE COVERED FOR Engine components Clutch Gearbox and manual transmission Automatic transmission Four wheel drive transmission Rear axle Propshaft Suspension Braking system Turbocharger Fuel system Diesel injection systems Electronic ignition Electrics Oil leaks Cooling system Steering Air conditioning Casings WHAT YOU ARE NOT COVERED FOR Serviceable items Drive belt adjustments Brake and clutch adjustments and replacements due to wear Glass replacements due to breakages or impact Lights, bulbs and headlight adjustments Window and door lock adjustments Paintwork and bodywork Battery (HV battery on Hybrids is covered) Interior trim Corrosion to the exhaust Road wheels Pulled off Lexus UK website. Electrics are covered and so is glass as long as its not broken. Id take the car back and show them whats written on the Lexus UK website.

hi the LS430 amplifier has a common problem also whereby the power supply fails and the amp stops working - everything else works except no sound. When mine packed up i got it repaired by svt services in edinburgh for £285 - they specialise in this sort of stuff it might be an idea to give them a ring (speak to chris) and see if he can help you.

You're right, a dealer just emailed me with a quote for the same amount. For my IS200 I was able to find nearly new DVD updates on eBay for a lot cheaper, however the dealer has advised that HDD nav updates have to be done by them. I know you rarely need to update the maps, but it still seems extortionate when compared to the price of smart phone apps or portable sat navs!

The updates are quite expensive at £150 each!

There is no starter battery or starter motor as such on a 400H, the HV battery starts the petrol engine via motor/generator 1 so the 12v battery is only used for auxiliaries when the car in not in a ready state. The heating is via the waste heat from the petrol engine.

The TPMS has a small pressure sensor in each wheel attached to the valve stem. This sends out a signal to the monitoring unit. Each wheel sensor is coded so the unit knows which tyre has low pressure. As far as I am aware the sensors have a fixed pressure when they send out an alrm signal, something like 20psi. I know what it looks like because I broke the valve stem off when trying to get the metal cap off to check the pressure - instant flat tyre. The unit is lithium battery powered and is supposed to last for 10 years. However, the metal valve cap corrodes onto the valve stem within a year or so. Be warned. This is a common fault and it costs over £250 to get a new sensor fitted. I have plastic caps now.