VAUXHALL is to install black-box type recorders across its entire range of cars from next month to identify the niggles that never show up when you take the car into its dealerships.

The Vehicle Information Processor uses hi-tech computerised diagnostic chips to track down engine gremlins, and then records them for retrieval the next time the car visits a dealer. Dealerships will use a computer diagnostics programme to interrogate and analyse the information stored in the VIP to highlight the fault area. The VIP fits out of sight under the bonnet.