This vehicle’s headlights are proof that engineers hate mechanics. It seems preposterous that you’d need to disassemble a large chunk of the front of the vehicle just to change a globe, but that’s how it looks. But there is one thing you can try, and that is to remove the grille and then lower the front bumper slightly (still a major job). From there, you might be able to remove the headlight units for access to the globe-holders and change them that way, rather than with the lights in situ.

This could be caused by any number of things. The engine might be struggling to run smoothly at low revs or small throttle openings, or you might have a fuel supply problem. Perhaps the engine’s idle speed is simply set too low. You might even have a broken or loose exhaust mount that is allowing the exhaust system to flail about at low revs when the engine harmonics set up the vibration to create a harmonic reaction. A broken or worn engine mount can also account for odd vibrations at different engine speeds.

But I’m also wondering if perhaps the problem is not with the engine at all, but something in the transmission. The good news is that your car used a conventional torque-converter automatic rather than the more problematic dual-clutch unit that some VWs used.

In any case, this sounds very much like a warranty problem, so take it back to the dealership and give Volkswagen a fair crack at making it right.

The last decade of dual-cab four-wheel-drive utes have emerged as the tow-vehicles of choice, and you see them everywhere filling roles exactly like the one you have planned. Popular models include the Ford Ranger you’ve nominated, Toyota HiLux, Mazda BT-50, VW Amarok, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Isuzu D-Max. But there are also cheaper alternatives including makes like the South-Korean made Ssangyong and various Chinese brands like LDV and Great Wall.

Just make sure you know exactly how much you need to tow before making a decision as some of the cheaper models don’t have the same outright towing capacity and even if they do, some of them don’t have the engine performance to make towing as easy as it should be. For parts availability, the Toyota would be king in really remote areas, but any of the major brands are pretty well covered in Australia.

Meantime, don’t rule out ute-based wagons such as the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuna. These offer better ride comfort when unladen thanks to more sophisticated rear suspensions and most have as much or almost as much towing capacity as their ute brethren.