A 2005 Polo 1.4 with very low mileage, around 10,000 miles. After driving down a motorway without any problem, on reaching the 30 mph area the car starts to judder and reduce speed (but the engine doesn't actually cut out) and the light goes on to warn of exhaust/engine management problem. The light is blinking, but there is no other instruction message. Driver was very worried, stopped the car, turned off engine, restarted after about 20 seconds, no further recurrence.
Is it sensible to take the car to a dealer immediately or is it likely that they would be unable to find a problem and that this would be a waste of money? I'm thinking let's wait till it happens again because maybe it's a one off. Would the average exhaust centre be able to diagnose the problem, if it was a lambda sensor or something connected to the exhaust system?
And is it unlikely that the driver (a family member, not me) would be left stranded if this happened again and that the car would remain driveable?